Structure and spectroscopic properties of (Y, Eu)(PO3)3 polyphosphate red phosphors

•Orange-red emitting phosphors Y(PO3)3: Eu3+ were prepared by solid-state reaction.•The phase transfer from monoclinic to orthorhombic occurs when Y3+ is totally replaced by Eu3+.•Site occupancy of Eu3+ has been studied by Eu3+ spectroscopy at nitrogen temperature.•No concentration quenching is found in Y(PO3)3: Eu3+ system.

A series of orange-red emitting phosphor Y(PO3)3: xEu3+ (x = 0.1–1.0) was prepared by a solid-state reaction route. The phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) as well as decay lifetimes. Studies revealed the phase transfer from monoclinic to orthorhombic when Y3+ is totally replaced by Eu3+, and expansion of the unit cell occurs with increasing Eu3+ doped content. The PL spectra show that the phosphors Y(PO3)3: xEu3+ can be effectively excited by near ultraviolet (n-UV) light, and exhibit strong red-orange emission with no concentration quenching. The profile of PL spectra changes significantly at high Eu3+ content (x ≥ 0.80), which is due to the variation of preference for substitution of Eu3+. The luminescence due to the 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 1, 2) transitions at 77 K exhibits its own spectral features for different crystallographic site. It is found that Eu3+ ions occupy the centers of octahedral polyhedron and form Ci/C1 point group in Y(PO3)3.

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