Luminescence properties of a single-component Na0.34Ca0.66Al1.66Si2.34O8:Ce3+, Sm3+ phosphor with tunable color tone for UV-pumped LEDs

Abstract A series of single-phase Na0.34Ca0.66Al1.66Si2.34O8:Ce3+, Sm3+ (NCASO) phosphors have been synthesized via a high temperature solid-state reaction method. The samples were studied based on photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra and fluorescence decay patterns. The obtained PLE exhibited a strong excitation band in the UV region between 250 and 380 nm. Under 340 nm excitation, NCASO:Ce3+, Sm3+ phosphor showed a broad emission band at 414 nm of Ce3+ and four emission bands from 550 nm to 725 nm of Sm3+. Spectra demonstrate nonradiative energy transfers (ET) occur from Ce3+–Sm3+. The analysis based on Inokuti–Hirayama model indicates that the ET is governed by electric dipole–dipole interaction. Moreover, the emitting colors can be adjusting from blue to white by proper tuning of the relative composition of Ce3+/Sm3+. These results show that NCASO:Ce3+, Sm3+ phosphors can be used as a potential single-phased white-emitting candidate for UV WLEDs.