Photoluminescence properties of a reddish orange-emitting phosphor Ba₃P₄O₁₃:Eu³⁺ with high thermal quenching resistance, high color thermostability, and high quantum efficiency for w-LEDs

Abstract

High-quality red or amber phosphors are often regarded as important materials to fill the missing red gap of white LEDs. In this work, a reddish orange-emitting phosphor Ba₃P₄O₁₃:Eu³⁺ with high thermal stability, color purity, and color thermostability was developed by high-temperature solid-state method. The phase composition and lattice parameters of the phosphor were determined by X-ray diffraction. The micro-morphology and surface element distribution of the phosphor particles were obtained by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Furthermore, the photoluminescence properties of phosphors were systematically studied from the perspective of theoretical science and application. The phosphor can be excited by deep ultraviolet or near ultraviolet, showing good thermal stability and chromaticity properties. At 150 °C, the luminescence intensity of Ba₃P₄O₁₃:0.15Eu³⁺ (⁵D₀-⁷F₂) remained 91.2% of that at room temperature. The CIE chromaticity coordinates x and y exhibited ideal standard deviations with σ(x) = 0.00796 and σ(y) = 0.00190 in the operating temperature range of 25–250 °C. The internal quantum efficiency of the phosphor was as high as 67.39% upon excitation with 393 nm. All results indicate that the phosphor has potential for application as a reddish orange component in white LEDs.