Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu3+,Bi3+-doped BaWO4 phosphors

BaWO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ phosphors have been prepared by the conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction and chemical precipitation. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) technologies. When the phosphors are prepared by the high-temperature solidstate reaction, Bi3+ doping into BaWO4:Eu3+ can increase the emission intensity of 613 nm. However, maximum emission at about 595 nm was observed in Eu3+,Bi3+-doped BaWO4 phosphors prepared by the chemical precipitation. The decay constants (monitored at 595 and/or 613 nm) are within 45–100 s. The color purity of the Ba0:865WO4: Eu0:11,Bi0:025 phosphor (prepared by chemical precipitation) was 100%. The emission mechanism of Eu3+,Bi3+ in the BaWO4 phosphors is briefly discussed.