Photoluminescence properties and energy transfer in Ce(3+) /Dy(3+) co-doped Sr(3) MgSi(2) O(8) phosphors for potential application in ultraviolet white light-emitting diodes.

Sr(3) MgSi(2) O(8) :Ce(3+) , Dy(3+) phosphors were prepared by a solid-state reaction technique and the photoluminescence properties were investigated. The emission spectra show not only a band due to Ce(3+) ions (403 nm) but also as a band due to Dy(3+) ions (480, 575 nm) (UV light excitation). The photoluminescence properties reveal that effective energy transfer occurs in Ce(3+) /Dy(3+) co-doped Sr(3) MgSi(2) O(8)phosphors, and the co-doping of Ce(3+) could enhance the emission intensity of Dy(3+) to a certain extent by transferring its energy to Dy(3+) . The Ce(3+) /Dy(3+) energy transfer was investigated by emission/excitation spectra, and photoluminescence decay behaviors. In Sr2.94 MgSi2 O8 :0.01Ce(3+) , 0.05Dy(3+) phosphors, the fluorescence lifetime of Dy(3+) (from 3.35 to 27.59 ns) is increased whereas that of Ce(3+) is greatly decreased (from 43.59 to 13.55 ns), and this provides indirect evidence of the Ce(3+) to Dy(3+) energy transfer. The varied emitted color of Sr(3) MgSi(2) O(8):Ce(3+) , Dy(3+) phosphors from blue to white were achieved by altering the concentration ratio of Ce(3+) and Dy(3+) . These results indicate Sr(3) MgSi(2) O(8):Ce(3+) , Dy(3+) may be as a candidate phosphor for white light-emitting diodes.