Energy transfer and luminescence properties of Eu3+-doped NaTb(WO4)2 phosphor prepared by a facile hydrothermal method

NaTb(1−x)Eux(WO4)2 (x = 0–100%) phosphors have been synthesized via a mild hydrothermal process directly without further sintering treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra and decay curve were used to characterize the samples. Moreover, the luminescence colors of NaTb(1−x)Eux(WO4)2 (NTbW:Eu) samples can be tuned from green, green–yellow, and yellow to red by simply adjusting the relative Eu3+-doping concentrations under a single wavelength excitation, which might find potential applications in the light displays systems.

Research highlights
► Synthesis of NTbW:Eu using a mild hydrothermal method at 240 °C for 12 h.
► Morphology of the monodisperse NTbW:Eu urchin-like phosphors.
► The energy transfer processes both WO42− to Tb3+ to Eu3+ and WO42− to Eu3+ in NTbW:Eu can be observed.
► The NTbW:Eu phosphors show multicolor visible emissions when excited by a single wavelength light.