Solvothermal fabrication and luminescent properties of Eu2+/Gd3+ doped potassium magnesium fluoride

• A facile preparation method of phosphors of KMgF3 doped Eu or/and Gd.
• Their structural characterization.
• Their luminescent properties of the rare-earth ion-doped KMgF3.
• The discussion of energy transfer mechanism from Gd3+to Eu2+ in the host.

Phase-pure Gd-/Eu-doped and co-doped KMgF3 phosphors are synthesized by solvothermal techniques at 200 °C for 5 days. The crystal structure, particle size and morphologies of the as-synthesized products are investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The excitation and emission spectra of the rare earth ions doped KMgF3 are measured by the fluorescence spectrophotometer and the effects of Gd3+ ions molar fraction on the luminescence of Eu2+ ions are discussed. In the co-doped Eu2+ and Gd3+ system, the emission intensity of Eu2+ ion gradually increases with the increasing Gd3+ concentration, and the enhancement of Eu2+ fluorescence is due to an efficient energy transfer from Gd3+ to Eu2+ in the host. In addition, the mechanism of energy transfer has been discussed in detail. These results suggest that the phosphors of KMgF3: Gd3+, Eu2+ would become promising short-wave laser materials.

The luminescent intensity of Eu2+ ion gradually enhances with the increasing dosage of Gd3+ due to an efficient energy transfer from Gd3+ to Eu2+ in the co-doped system of KMgF3.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide