Luminescent properties of Pr3+-doped SrZrO3 phosphors

Abstract

In this work Sr1-1.5xPrxZrO3 phosphors with different Pr3+ contents were synthesized by polymerizable complex and high-temperature solid-state methods. The samples were calcined between 700–1400°C. The crystal structure, microstructure and photoluminescence properties of the prepared powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence spectroscopy, respectively.The relationship between luminescent properties and the different sintering temperatures was studied. It was found that calcination at high temperature may remarkably increase the luminescence for samples synthesized by both methods. Emission spectra for all samples show dominant bands ascribed to transitions from the 3P0,1 energy levels to lower levels, particularly that one in the greenish-blue region, corresponding to the 3P0 → 3H4 transition. However, the bands ascribed to the 3P0,1 → 2S+1LJ transitions corresponding to the red spectral region are not inhibited at all, in contrast to recent reports. The samples prepared by solid state method exhibit a charge transfer band (CTB) due to the presence of Ti4+ impurities.