Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Pr3+-Doped BiPO4 Polycrystals

The results of synthesis, crystal structure characterization and luminescence properties study of the Pr3+-doped bismuth orthophosphate, BiPO4, polycrystals are reported. It was found that doping of bismuth orthophosphate with praseodymium of concentration more than 1% leads to phase transition of BiPO4 from so-called "high-temperature monoclinic" to "low-temperature monoclinic" structure. At room temperature studied samples revealed intensive red luminescence caused by radiation electronic transitions in the Pr3+ ions under their intrinsic f -> f excitation at H-3(4) -> P-3(1) + I-1(6) absorption transition. Influence of phase transformation as well as multi-phonon and cross-relaxation processes on the luminescence of the Pr3+-doped BiPO4 compounds were discussed.