Single-phased emission-tunable Ca3Si2O7:Ce3+, Eu2+ phosphors for white light-emitting diodes

A series of single-phased emission-tunable Ca3Si2O7:Ce3+, Eu2+ phosphors has been prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The phosphors show two intense emission bands at about 450 nm and 610 nm, which are attributed to the 5d→4f transitions of Ce3+ and Eu2+ ions, respectively. The emission colors of Ca3Si2O7:Ce3+, Eu2+ phosphors vary from blue (0.148, 0.147) to white (0.309, 0.260), and eventually to orange (0.407, 0.319) by tuning the Eu2+/Ce3+ ratio. Energy transfer from Ce3+ to Eu2+ is studied by luminescence spectra and energy transfer efficiency. The results show an electric quadrupole-quadrupole interaction plays an important role in the process of energy transfer. The phosphors with tunable emission are suitable for application in white light-emitting diodes.