Luminescence properties of single-phase color-tunable TbZn1−x(B5O10):xMn2+ phosphor

A series of emission-tunable TbZn1−x(B5O10):xMn2+ phosphor were prepared by the conventional high temperature solid-state method. The lattice structure, and particularly the luminescence properties upon ultraviolet light excitation were studied. It is revealed that Mn2+ ions only occupy Zn2+ sites. And the characteristic 5D4-7FJ emissions of Tb3+ were also studied in TbZn1−x(B5O10):xMn2+ under the excitation of 365 nm. By doping Mn2+ in the TbZn(B5O10) host, red light at 625 nm was observed due to the transition of 4T1g(G)→6A1g(S). The energy transfer mechanism between Tb3+ and Mn2+ was verified by the fluorescence spectra and decay curves. And the energy transfer efficiencies were discussed. Moreover, color-tunable range from green to red can be realized in TbZn1−x(B5O10):xMn2+(0 < x < 0.01) by adjusting the concentration of Mn2+ ions. The above investigations indicate that TbZn1−x(B5O10):xMn2+ have great potential in luminescent devices.