Y4MgSi3O13:RE3+ (RE=Ce, Tb and Eu) nanophosphors for a full-color display

Nanophosphors of Y4MgSi3O13:RE3+ (RE=Ce, Tb and Eu) were synthesized by a facile sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectroscopy were employed to systematically characterize the samples. The results show that the nanophosphors are of single-phase hexagonal Y4MgSi3O13 with average size distribution of 50 nm in diameter. Photoluminescence spectra indicate that Y4MgSi3O13:Ce3+ emits strong blue light centered at 430 nm attributed to the transition from 5d to 4f of Ce3+ ions. Y4MgSi3O13:Tb3+ gives intense green emission at 542 nm originating from the 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb3+ ions, while Y4MgSi3O13:Eu3+ shows red emission with a maximum at 614 nm corresponding to the 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+ ions. The excellent Commission International de I’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of Y4MgSi3O13:RE3+ (RE=Ce, Tb and Eu) nanophosphors indicate that they are good candidates for the application of InGaN-based white LEDs.