Luminescence Properties and Energy Transfer of Ce ³⁺ , Tb ³⁺ ‐Coactivatedβ‐ SiAlON Phosphors

Abstract

Using the solid‐state reaction method, Ce 3+ , Tb 3+ ‐coactivated Si 5 AlON 7 ( Si 6− z Al z O z N 8− z , z = 1) phosphors were successfully synthesized. The obtained phosphors exhibit high absorption and strong excitation bands in the wavelength range of 240–440 nm, matching well with the light emitting‐diode ( LED ) chip. The ET from Ce 3+ to Tb 3+ ions in Si 5 AlON 7 : Ce 3+ , Tb 3+ has been studied and demonstrated by the luminescence spectra and decay curves. Moreover, the phosphors show tunable emissions from blue to green by tuning the relative ratio of the Ce 3+ to Tb 3+ ions. Thermal quenching properties of Si 5 AlON 7 : Ce 3+ , Tb 3+ had also been investigated and the quenching temperature is ~190°C. These results show that Si 5 AlON 7 : Ce 3+ , Tb 3+ could be a promising candidate for a single‐phased color‐tunable phosphor applied in UV ‐chip pumped LED s.