Photoluminescence properties of a novel red-emitting Pr3+-doped borate phosphor

Red-emitting phosphors Pr3+-doped CaLaB7O13 were prepared by solid-state reaction method and pure-phased samples can be obtained when calcined at 900 °C. X-ray diffraction along with diffuse reflection spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, the Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates, PL quantum yields and thermal quenching properties were initially explorited to characterize those phosphors. There existed three adjacent absorption bands within the spectral range of 440-500 nm, which was consistent with the emission wavelengths of blue InGaN-based LED. Under 450nm excitation Pr3+-doped CaLaB7O13 exhibited a dominant red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.6319, 0.3304). Energy transfer process among Pr3+-doped CaLaB7O13 phosphors existed and the main mechanism was proved to be electric dipole-dipole interaction. The temperature-dependent PL spectra indicated Pr3+-doped CaLaB7O13 were good thermal stability. Those results suggested that Pr3+-doped CaLaB7O13 as novel red-emitting phosphor might be a candidate in white light-emitting diode.