Synthesis and tunable emission properties of Sm3+ and Mn2+ co-doped CaZn2P2O8 phosphor

A series of CaZn2P2O8:Sm3+, Mn2+ phosphors are synthesized by a solid-state reaction method in air. The crystal structures and luminescence properties are investigated. CaZn2P2O8:Sm3+ phosphor with excitation 402 nm emits red light in the range of 550-750 nm owing to the 4G5/2 → (6H5/2, 6H7/2, 6H9/2, and 6H11/2) transitions of Sm3+ ion. CaZn2P2O8:Mn2+ phosphor with excitation 400 nm emits yellow-green light in the range of 500-650 nm due to the 4T1(G) → 6A1 transition of the Mn2+ ion. CaZn2P2O8:Sm3+, Mn2+ phosphor with excitation 400 nm shows a tunable emission in the range of 500-750 nm with changing Sm3+ or Mn2+ ion content. The optimal Sm3+ and Mn2+ ion concentrations are ∼4 mol% and 3 mol%, respectively.