Photoluminescence characteristics of Sm3+-doped Ba2CaWO6 as new orange-red emitting phosphors

The orange-red emitting Ba2CaWO6:xSm3+ (0.01≤x≤0.25) phosphors were synthesized via solid state reaction process. The crystal structure of the phosphor was characterized by XRD. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, concentration effect were investigated. The results show an efficient energy transfer from WO66− group to Sm3+ occurs. The emission spectra of the Ba2CaWO6:Sm3+ phosphors consisted of some sharp emission peaks of Sm3+ ions centre at 579 nm, 618 nm, 625 nm, and 675 nm. The strongest one is located at 610 nm due to 4G5/2→6H7/2 transition of Sm3+, generating bright orange-red light. The optimum dopant concentration of Sm3+ ions in Ba2CaWO6:xSm3+ is around 5 mol% and the critical transfer distance of Sm3+ is calculated as 18 Å. The fluorescence lifetime of Sm3+ in Ba2CaWO6:0.05Sm3+ is 2.36 ms. The Ba2CaWO6:Sm3+ phosphors may be potentially used as orange-red phosphors for white light-emitting diodes.