Eu3+ doped self-activated Ca8ZrMg(PO4)6(SiO4) phosphor with tunable luminescence properties

Single-host white-light emission phosphors stand a good chance to serve in the next-generation high-power white light emitting diodes. Eu3+-doped self-activated Ca8ZrMg(PO4)6(SiO4) phosphor was synthesized by a high temperature solid-state reaction which can realize white light emission by tuning spectrum. The analysis of XRD, SEM, UV-vis DRS, luminescent spectra, and emission dynamic curves were applied to investigate the obtained samples. Upon 295 nm excitation, the Ca8ZrMg(PO4)6(SiO4): Eu3+ phosphors contain two dominating bands peaked at 470 and 615 nm, which are attributed to the charge transfer (CT) transition from Zr4+ to O2− and the characteristic transition 5D0→7F2 of the Eu3+ ions, respectively. In view of the energy transfer between Zr-O CT and Eu3+ ions, the chromaticity coordinates of Ca8ZrMg(PO4)6(SiO4): Eu3+ phosphors can be tuned from (0.2186, 0.2858) to (0.5413, 0.3295). Present work indicates that the novel Ca8ZrMg(PO4)6(SiO4) is a promising candidate as a single-host white phosphor with an excellent thermal stability for optical display applications.