Photoluminescence and energy transfer in cerium and terbium co-doped trisodium yttrium silicates

Ce3+ and Tb3+ doped Na3YSi2O7 were synthesized with solid state reactions. The luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Tb3+ in Na3YSi2O7 and energy transfer (ET) from Ce3+ to Tb3+ were investigated in detail. Measurements of the luminescence lifetimes of Ce3+ and calculation of ET efficiency prove that ET from Ce3+ to Tb3+ is efficient. Optimal composition was experimentally ascertained to be 10% and 20% mol for Ce3+ and Tb3+, respectively. The integrated green emission intensity of Na3YSi2O7: 10%Ce3+, 20%Tb3+ is 93.2% of commercial green phosphor LaPO4: 10%Ce3+, 20%Tb3+. It proves that Na3YSi2O7: Ce3+, Tb3+ is a promising green phosphor for AlGaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes.