Photoluminescence characterization of Ca10Na(PO4)7:Eu3+ red-emitting phosphor

Eu3+-doped Ca10Na(PO4)7 phosphors were successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction techniques. Their structures and photoluminescence characteristics were carefully studied. An efficient red emission under near-ultraviolet excitation is observed. The maximum intensity of luminescence was observed at the Eu3+ concentration around 9 mol%. The quadrupole–quadrupole interaction between Eu3+ ions is the dominant mechanism for concentration quenching of fluorescence emission from Eu3+ ions in Ca10−xNa(PO4)7:xEu3+. Due to the excitation spectrum is well coupled with near UV light, Ca10−xNa(PO4)7:xEu3+ phosphors have potential application as red phosphors in near UV chip-based white light emitting diodes.