Ce and Eu activated Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄, a new promising novel phosphor

Abstract

A new efficient phosphor, Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ and Ce³⁺ activated Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ has been synthesized by solid-state reaction technique at high temperature. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ host lattice. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the microstructure of the phosphor consisted of irregular fine grains with a size of about 0·5–2 μm. Photoluminescence excitation spectrum measurements of Ce³⁺ activated Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ show that the phosphor can be efficiently excited by UV-Vis light from 280 to 310 nm to realize emission in the visible (blue) range due to the 5d-4f transition of Ce³⁺ ions which is applicable for scintillation purpose, whereas Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ activated Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ phosphor emits blue, green and red emission spectrum shows at 487 nm, 546 nm with a dominant peak at 611 nm respectively, due to Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ ions which is promising candidate for solid state lighting. Therefore, newly synthesised, by low cost and easy technique prepared, novel phosphors may be useful as RGB phosphor for solid state lighting application.