The downconversion luminescence properties of Y3Al5O12: Bi3+/Sm3+ phosphors with tunable emissions

Abstract A series of Y3Al5O12: Bi3+/Sm3+ microcrystals were prepared by a high-temperature solid-state method. Under the excitation of 282 nm ultraviolet light, the photoluminescence spectra of Y3Al5O12: Bi3+ microcrystals exhibit broad emission band from 350 nm to 650 nm. This is attributed to the 3P1 → 1S0 emission of Bi3+ ion. Under 406 nm excitation, Y3Al5O12: Sm3+ microcrystals exhibit orange-red emission at 550–680 nm. In the Bi3+/Sm3+ ions co-doped Y3Al5O12 microcrystals, under 282 nm excitation, Bi3+ ion can transfer energy to Sm3+ ion, and the emission intensity of Sm3+ ion is improved than those of Sm3+ ions doped Y3Al5O12 microcrystals. By adjusting the doping concentration of Bi3+/Sm3+ ions, the tunable emissions are achieved. The results show that the Y3Al5O12: Bi3+/Sm3+ microcrystals have a good application prospect for ultraviolet excited white-light emitting diodes (WLEDs).