Multi-Band Emission of Pr3+-Doped Ca3Al2O6 and the Effects of Charge Compensator Ions on Luminescence Properties

Abstract

Multi-band emission luminescence materials are of great significance owing to their extensive application in diverse fields. In this research, we successfully prepared a series of Pr3+-doped Ca3Al2O6 multi-band emission phosphors via a high-temperature solid-state method. The phase structure, morphology, luminescence spectra and decay curves were investigated in detail. The Ca3Al2O6:Pr3+ phosphors can absorb blue lights and emit lights in the 450–750 nm region, and typical emission bands are located at 488 nm (blue), 525–550 nm (green), 611–614 nm (red), 648 nm (red) and 733 nm (deep red). The influence of the Pr3+ doping concentration was discussed, and the optimal Pr3+ doping concentration was determined. The impacts of charge compensator ions (Li+, Na+, and K+) on the luminescence of Pr3+ were also investigated, and it was found that all the charge compensator ions contributed positively to the emission intensity. More importantly, the emission intensity of the as-prepared phosphors at 423 K can still maintain 65–70% of that at room temperature, and the potential application for pc-LED was investigated. The interesting results indicate that the prepared phosphors may serve multifunctional and advanced applications.