Synthesis and luminescence properties of novel β-Zn3BPO7:Ln (Ln = Ce3+, Eu2+, Eu3+) phosphors

This work first reports the synthesis and luminescence properties of rare earth Ce3+, Eu2+, Eu3+ ions doped β-Zn3BPO7 phosphors [β-Zn3BPO7:Ln (Ln = Ce3+, Eu2+, Eu3+)]. The phosphors were synthesized by a solid-state reaction at high temperature, and their luminescence properties were investigated by measuring the photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. The f–d transitions of Ce3+ and Eu2+ ions in the host lattice are assigned and corroborated, which lead to the broad emission band in ultraviolet (UV) and visible region for Ce3+ and Eu2+ ions under UV excitation, respectively. Typical reddish orange emission from Eu3+ in the host lattice was also observed. The spectroscopic characteristics including Stokes shift, crystal field depression, electron–vibrational interaction, and charge transfer band were investigated and compared with that in other borophosphate phosphors. β-Zn3BPO7:Eu2+ and β-Zn3BPO7:Eu3+ phosphors show potential application in solid state lighting region.