Spectroscopic properties of red-emitting phosphor series (Y4-Eu )Zn4(SiO4)5 (x = 0.004–4) based on the site occupation of Eu3+ ion

Abstract Y4Zn4(SiO4)5 silicate doped with Eu3+ ions was prepared by the high temperature solid state method. The phase purity of phosphor series (Y4-xEux)Zn4(SiO4)5 (0.004 ≤ x ≤ 4) was checked by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure, interatomic distances, and atom coordination numbers of Eu4Zn4(SiO4)5 were determined using x-ray powder diffraction. A study of the luminescent properties of (Y4-xEux)Zn4(SiO4)5 was carried out employing photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra and luminescence decay. The occupied sites of Eu3+ ions, relative intensity between magnetic dipole transition and electric dipole transition and the 7FJ levels splitting by the crystal field were discussed in terms of a low symmetry site of Y3+ ion in the Y4Zn4(SiO4)5 host lattice. The concentration quenching of Eu3+ luminescence was also investigated from the concentration dependence of the decay time measured for Eu3+ 5D0 → 7F1,2 luminescence.