Synthesis and tunable emission properties of CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+, Sm3+ phosphor

Abstract

CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+ and CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+, Sm3+ phosphors are synthesized by high-temperature solid state reaction method in air. CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+ phosphor shows green emission and its broad emission band peaking at ~545 nm within the range 470–650 nm is attributed to the 4T1(G) → 6A1(6S) transition of Mn2+ ion. The optimal Mn2+ doping concentration is ~5 mol% in CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+ phosphor. CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+, Sm3+ phosphor with excitation 399 nm emits reddish-orange light, and it shows a systematically varied hue from green to yellow with excitation 405 nm by changing Sm3+ and Mn2+ ions concentration. The luminous mechanism of CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+, Sm3+ phosphor is analyzed and explained by the simplified energy level diagrams of Mn2+ and Sm3+ ions in CaZr(PO4)2:Mn2+, Sm3+ phosphor. The experimental results are helpful to develop new Mn2+/Sm3+-doped materials.