Synthesis, Luminescence Properties and Energy Transfer of CaZrO3:Sm3+, Bi3+ Phosphor

Novel CaZrO3:Sm3+, Bi3+ phosphor is synthesized by a solid-state reaction method in air and the crystal structures and luminescence properties are investigated. The emission spectrum with excitation 308 nm contains emission of Sm3+ and Bi3+ ions at the same time; however, it only has an emission of Sm3+ ion with excitation 408 nm. Emission intensity of CaZrO3:Sm3+ phosphor can be enhanced about four times owing to energy transfer from the Bi3+ ion to the Sm3+ ion and with the fluxing agent role of Bi3+ ion when Bi3+ ion is co-doped. The possible luminous mechanism is analyzed by energy level diagrams of Bi3+ and Sm3+ ions and the energy transfer process in CaZrO3:Sm3+, Bi3+ phosphor. The experimental results indicate that, hopefully, CaZrO3:Sm3+, Bi3+ phosphor can be used as a reddish orange phosphor candidate for white light-emitting diodes based on near an ultraviolet (~408 nm) chip.