Phosphorescence properties and energy transfer of red long-lasting phosphorescent (LLP) material β-Zn3(PO4)2:Mn2+,Pr3+

Abstract The red long-lasting phosphorescent (LLP) of β-Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 :Mn 2+ ,Pr 3+ material was prepared through combustion and conventional solid-state sintering methods. The influence of Pr 3+ ions on luminescence and LLP of Mn 2+ in β-Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 :Mn 2+ ,Pr 3+ phosphor was systematically investigated. The phosphor presented a strong photoluminescence peak at 620 nm attributed to the 4 T1g→ 6 A1g transition of Mn 2+ ions in octahedral coordination. Red LLP was observed in β-Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 :Mn 2+ ,Pr 3+ phosphors with persistence time for more than 2 h. It was found that the long persistent phosphorescent performance of Mn 2+ such as brightness and duration was improved by the energy transfer from Pr 3+ to Mn 2+ when Pr 3+ ions as sensitizers were doped into matrix. The fact that the TL peak at low temperature was largely enhanced in Mn 2+ , Pr 3+ codoped β-Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 phosphor showed the significant increase of defect concentration with suitable depth. There existed two factors working together to be responsible for the enhancement of LLP performance in β-Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 :Mn 2+ ,Pr 3+ .