Characterization and photoluminescent properties of sol–gel-derived Ca2(1−x)La7.6+x(SiO4)6O2:Eu0.4, Lix phosphors

Abstract

Abstract Red-emitting Ca 2(1− x ) La 7.6+ x (SiO 4 ) 6 O 2 :Eu 0.4 , Li x (CLS:Eu 0.4 , Li x ) phosphors were synthesized via a citric acid based sol–gel combustion method. The morphologies, crystal structures and optical properties of these phosphors were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, respectively. The CLS:Eu 0.4 based phosphors readily excited under UV light (387 nm), which makes them promising red-emitting candidates for commercial near-UV light emitting diodes (LEDs)-pumped white LEDs. After doping with Li + ions, the CLS:Eu 0.4 , Li x phosphors exhibited remarkably enhanced photoluminescent performances. Additionally, the emission intensity of CLS:Eu 0.4 , Li x phosphors generated using the sol–gel combustion method was found to be much higher than for those obtained using a solid-state reaction method. This finding indicated the sol–gel combustion method could be considered a versatile route for producing high-quality CLS:Eu 0.4 , Li x phosphors.