Crystal structure and photoluminescence properties of blue-green-emitting Ca1−xSrxZr4(PO4)6: Eu2+ (0≤x≤1) phosphors

Abstract Ca1−xSrxZr4(PO4)6: Eu2+ (0≤x≤1) was synthesized by a conventional solid‐state reaction for the first time. XRD data and the Rietveld refinement analysis confirm that the samples are single phase and continuous solid solutions are formed in the full range of 0≤x≤1. The emission peak can be tuned from 492 to 463 nm accompanied by a band narrowing from 87 to 68 nm due to the combined effects of crystal field regulation and site-preference of Eu2+. Both luminescence decay times and thermal stabilities of the phosphors show a non-linear dependence on the Sr2+ content. The insensitivity of thermal quenching properties of Ca1−xSrxZr4(PO4)6: Eu2+ to the Sr2+ content was explained by the underlying mechanism of thermal ionization of 5d electron into the host conduction band.