Luminescence characteristics of doubly doped KLuS2:Eu, RE (RE = Pr, Sm, Ce)

Abstract KLuS2 single crystals doped with divalent europium and co-doped with trivalent praseodymium, samarium or cerium were synthesized in the form of crystalline hexagonal platelets as interesting candidates for white LED solid state lighting. Luminescence characteristics in UV/Vis, including radioluminescence, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra and photoluminescence decays, were measured in the broad concentration and temperature interval revealing presence of thermally stable emission features of both Eu2+ and co-dopants in a single KLuS2 host. Energy transfer from Eu2+ to Pr3+, Sm3+ and Ce3+ is identified. CIE xy-coordinates are used to compare effects of dopants on resulting spectrum. The application potential in white LEDs phosphors is discussed.