Synthesis and luminescent properties of a novel orange-red Ba3Y(BO3)3:Sm3+ phosphors for white LEDs

Abstract

A series of novel Sm3+ doped Ba3Y(BO3)3 orange-red phosphors had been prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction at a relatively lower temperature. In order to analyze and describe the crystal structure, morphological structure, luminescence property, chromaticity coordinates, luminescence decay time, and quantum efficiency of the sample by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM and EDS). The principal crystalline phase of the sample was Ba3Y(BO3)3 and the optimum synthesis temperature was lower. All of the obtained phosphors Ba3Y(BO3)3:xSm3+ showed absorption peaks in the ultraviolet (UV) or near-UV range, and gave bright orange-red (603 nm) emission upon 404 nm excitation. The critical Sm3+ quenching concentration (QC) was determined to be about 0.1 mol. The critical distance (Rc) between the neighboring Sm3+ ions is 16 Å, that proved the process of energy transfer should be electric multipole interaction. The chromaticity coordinates of the typical sample Ba3Y0.9(BO3)3:0.1Sm3+ phosphor was (0.583, 0.417), which are located in reddish orange region. The fluorescence decay curves and the quantum efficiency of Ba3Y(BO3)3:xSm3+ phosphors were discussed. These results indicated that Ba3Y(BO3)3:xSm3+ phosphors can be used as the potential orange-red phosphor for white LEDs.