Photoluminescence properties and energy transfer in Ce3+/Dy3+ co-doped Sr3MgSi2O8 phosphors for potential application in ultraviolet white light-emitting diodes

Sr3MgSi2O8:Ce3+, Dy3+ phosphors were prepared by a solid-state reaction technique and the photoluminescence properties were investigated. The emission spectra show not only a band due to Ce3+ ions (403nm) but also as a band due to Dy3+ ions (480, 575nm) (UV light excitation). The photoluminescence properties reveal that effective energy transfer occurs in Ce3+/Dy3+ co-doped Sr3MgSi2O8 phosphors, and the co-doping of Ce3+ could enhance the emission intensity of Dy3+ to a certain extent by transferring its energy to Dy3+. The Ce3+/Dy3+ energy transfer was investigated by emission/excitation spectra, and photoluminescence decay behaviors. In Sr2.94MgSi2O8:0.01Ce(3+), 0.05Dy(3+) phosphors, the fluorescence lifetime of Dy3+ (from 3.35 to 27.59ns) is increased whereas that of Ce3+ is greatly decreased (from 43.59 to 13.55ns), and this provides indirect evidence of the Ce3+ to Dy3+ energy transfer. The varied emitted color of Sr3MgSi2O8:Ce3+, Dy3+ phosphors from blue to white were achieved by altering the concentration ratio of Ce3+ and Dy3+. These results indicate Sr3MgSi2O8:Ce3+, Dy3+ may be as a candidate phosphor for white light-emitting diodes. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.