Synthesis and luminescence properties of a novel red-emitting phosphor Ba3La(PO4)3:Eu3+ for solid-state lighting

Abstract A novel series of Ba 3 La(PO 4 ) 3 : x Eu 3+ (0.01 ⩽  x  ⩽ 1.00) phosphors was prepared by the convenient solid-state reaction. The structural and photoluminescent properties of the phosphors were carefully studied. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of the complete solid solutions between Ba 3 La(PO 4 ) 3 and Ba 3 Eu(PO 4 ) 3 . The photoluminescence spectra showed that the samples had intense and prevailing red emissions at 610 nm belonging to the 5 D 0  →  7 F 2 electric dipole transition. The optimum dopant concentration of Eu 3+ ions in Ba 3 La(PO 4 ) 3 : x Eu 3+ was around 90 mol%, and the critical transfer distance of Eu 3+ was calculated to be 8.4 A. The quenching temperature for Ba 3 La 0.10 (PO 4 ) 3 :0.90Eu 3+ was estimated to be above 500 K. Under 394 nm excitation, the quantum efficiency of Ba 3 La 0.10 (PO 4 ) 3 :0.90Eu 3+ was determined to be ∼71%. Therefore, Eu 3+ -doped Ba 3 La(PO 4 ) 3 phosphors are potential red phosphors for NUV chip-based WLEDs and display devices.