An insight of luminescence properties of Bi3+-activated K2BaCa(PO4)2 phosphors

A series of novel blue phosphors K2BaCa(PO4)(2): xBi(3+) were synthesized successfully by a solid-state reaction at 1200 degrees C. It is found that these phosphors could be excited by UV light and emit blue light originating from the P-3(1)-S-1(0) transitions of Bi3+ ions. The optimum concentration of Bi3+ ions is found to be 1 mol%. and the corresponding critical quenching distance is 26.82 angstrom. The optimized sample (x = 0.01) also showed good thermal stability, and typically, 95% and 68% of the initial emission intensity was maintained at 373 K and 473 K. This study elucidates the photo-luminescence properties of Bi3+-doped K2BaCa(PO4)(2) phosphor, and indicates that it is a promising UV-excited luminescent material for lighting and display devices.