Tunable emission colors via energy transfer in LiBaBO3:X (X = Ce3+, Eu2+, Mn2+, Dy3+, Sm3+, Tb3+) phosphors

Abstract

A series of single-phase LiBaBO3:Ce3+, AR (R = Eu2+, Mn2+, Dy3+, Sm3+, Tb3+) and LiBaBO3:Tb3+, BE (E = Mn2+, Dy3+, Sm3+) phosphors were prepared via a high-temperature solid-state method. The structure and luminescence properties of the phosphors are described. The optical property and energy transfer mechanism between Ce3+/Tb3+ and the rare earth (RE) ions or transition metal ion (Mn2+) are investigated in detail. The energy transfer, from Ce3+ to other ions, is attributed to the dipole–dipole interaction. The separation of the excitation spectrum and the quenching of 5D3 within Tb3+ can be influenced by the ions. More importantly, tunable emission colors are obtained from deep pink to yellow when ions were co-doped with Ce3+/Tb3+ during their sensitization in LiBaBO3, indicating LiBaBO3 may be a potential phosphor in LED (Light-emitting diode) application.