Hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence of SrWO4:Tb3+ novel green phosphor

Abstract Tb3+-doped SrWO4 phosphors with a scheelite structure have been prepared by hydrothermal reaction. X-ray powder diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra and decay curve were used to characterize the resulting samples. Scanning electron microscopy image showed that the obtained SrWO4:Tb3+ phosphors appeared to be nearly spherical and their sizes ranged from 1 to 3 μm. Photoluminescence spectra indicated the phosphors emitted strong green light centered at 545 nm under ultraviolet light excitation. Because 12 at.% SWO4:Tb3+ phosphor exhibits intensive green emission under 254 nm excitation in comparison with the commercial green fluorescent lamp phosphor (LaPO4:Ce,Tb), the excellent luminescence properties make it a new promising green phosphor for fluorescent lamps application.