Effect of cation substitution on luminescence properties of phosphor NaYPO 4 F:Ce 3+ : A comparison with LnPO 4 :Ce 3+ (Ln = La and Y)

Abstract Phosphor NaYPO 4 F:Ce 3+ was synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state reaction, and Na + and Y 3+ ion were partially replaced by Li + and La 3+ ion, respectively. X-ray diffraction patterns, excitation and emission spectra were recorded to investigate the phosphors. The phosphor shows a typical doublet emission of Ce 3+ ion in the spectral range ~ 310–420 nm. The emission peak of Ce 3+ ion at short-wavelength side gradually enhances when Li + ion gradually substitute for Na + ion. The emission peak at short-wavelength side gradually decline when La 3+ ion gradually substitute for Y 3+ ion. The different luminescence behaviors among NaYPO 4 F:Ce 3+ , YPO 4 :Ce 3+ and LaPO 4 :Ce 3+ also are simply discussed according to the Ce 3+ coordination environment. The results show that high concentration of Li + or La 3+ ion results in the occurrence of a second phase YPO 4 or LaPO 4 , and that the optimal concentration of Li + and La 3+ ion are 0.4 and 0.2, respectively.