Bright yellow-emitting long persistent luminescence from Mn2+-activated strontium aluminate phosphor

Abstract

We developed bright yellow-emitting long persistent luminescence (LPL) materials Sr4Al14O25:Mn2+ and Sr4Al14O25:Mn2+,N (N = Zr4+, Ho3+, Er3+) by high temperature solid–state reaction. The addition of Zr4+, Ho3+ and Er3+ can regulate trap distributions and improve energy storage ability of the materials. The LPL performance of SAO:Mn2+,Ho3+ is optimal, considering LPL intensity and duration time. Bright LPL of SAO:Mn2+,Ho3+ can be observed for 3 h by naked eyes in dark after removing the excitation source. Profiles of LPL spectra are different from those of PL, because the two types of Mn2+ centers do not play equal parts in LPL and photoluminescence (PL). Trap depths of TL peaks centered at 354 K (peak 1) and 455 K (peak 2) are 0.60 and 0.72 eV, respectively. And peak 1 at 354 K is the effective TL peak responsible for LPL. In SAO:Mn2+,Ho3+,Mn2+ ions doped in Al3+ sites serve as emitting centers, and positively charged HoSr· defects are the main effective trap centers. Finally, a feasible LPL mechanism of SAO:Mn2+,Ho3+ was proposed to clarify the generation process of LPL.