Luminescence and energy transfer of La5Si2BO13: A (A=Ce3+/Tb3+/Eu3+/Sm3+) phosphors under UV excitation

• A novel color tunable phosphor Ce3+/Tb3+/Eu3+/Sm3+ doped La5Si2BO13 is synthesized.
• Narrowband red emission of Eu3+/Sm3+ are efficiently sensitized by Ce3+ through Tb3+ bridge.
• Emitting color can be tuned from blue through yellowish-green to red.

Ce3+, Tb3+ co-doped and Ce3+, Tb3+, Eu3+/Sm3+ tri-doped La5Si2BO13 (LSBO) were synthesized by solid-state method. Green Tb3+ emission and red Eu3+/Sm3+ emission could be efficiently sensitized by Ce3+. Using Tb3+ concentration that predicted by empirical saturation distance (Rc=6–7Å), a terbium bridge is successfully formed and efficient Ce3+→Tb3+→Eu3+/Sm3+ energy transfer is realized in LSBO lattice. Under UV excitation, La5Si2BO13: Ce3+, Tb3+, Eu3+/Sm3+ system can achieve tunable emission from blue through yellowish-green to red by changing the Tb3+/Eu3+/Sm3+ concentration.