Luminescent properties of Eu:Y1.8La0.2O3 transparent ceramics for potential white LED applications

(EuxY0.90−xLa0.1)2O3 (x = 0.01–0.12) transparent ceramics were fabricated by conventional ceramics processing, and their luminescent properties were investigated. Compared with Eu:Y2O3, Eu:(Y0.9La0.1)2O3 ceramics exhibit much stronger excitation peaks at 395, 466 and 535 nm, respectively. The strong excitation peak of Eu:(Y0.9La0.1)2O3 ceramics at 466 nm is in good agreement with the emissions of InGaN blue chips (λem = 450–470 nm). Eu:(Y0.9La0.1)2O3 ceramics can be effectively excited by the light of 466 nm, and show bright red emission at 613 nm. The influences of contents of Eu3+ on the luminescent properties were studied and their Judd–Ofelt parameters were also calculated. The results showed that Eu:Y1.8La0.2O3 transparent ceramics exhibit the potential to act as a red phosphor for blue chips excited white LEDs.

► (EuxY0.90−xLa0.1)2O3 (x = 0.01–0.12) transparent ceramics were fabricated by conventional ceramics processing.
► The strong excitation peak of Eu:(Y0.9La0.1)2O3 ceramics at 466 nm matches with the emission of InGaN blue chips.
► The ceramics can be effectively excited by 466 nm light and show bright red emission at 613 nm.
► Eu:Y1.8La0.2O3 ceramics exhibit the potential to act as a red phosphor for white LEDs.