Enhanced photoluminescence and energy transfer in the novel red emitting phosphors SrZn2(PO4)2:Eu3+, Tb3+, Li+

A series of SrZn2(PO4)2:Eu3+,Tb3+, Li+ phosphors were prepared by the solid-state method. The characteristic results indicate that there is effective energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ when excited at 393 nm, and Li+ can efficiently enhances emission of Eu3+ for SrZn2(PO4)2:Eu3+, Tb3+. The optimal contents of Tb3+, Li+ are 0.05 and 0.048, which the corresponding sample is SrZn2(PO4)2:0.02Eu3+, 0.05 Tb3+, 0.048Li+ and its I (peak area) of PL is as high as 3.36 times of that without Li+. SrZn2(PO4)2:0.02Eu3+, 0.05 Tb3+, 0.048Li+ is a potential red-emitting phosphor for UV-based white LED.