Preparation and luminescence properties of Na₄CaSi₃O₉:Ce³⁺ phosphors for solid state lighting

Abstract

A novel blue emitting phosphor, Na₄CaSi₃O₉:Ce³⁺, was prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. Na₄CaSi₃O₉:Ce³⁺ was structurally characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The phosphor can be efficiently excited by near ultraviolet light, and shows blue broadband emission centered at about 430 nm. The Na⁺ content of Na₄CaSi₃O₉ influences the luminescent properties of Ce³⁺. The luminescent intensity of the phosphor is a function of Ce³⁺ concentration. With increasing Ce³⁺ concentration, the luminescent intensity increases until 4 mol % Ce³⁺, and then decreases due to non-radiative energy transfer. The investigation shows that Na₄CaSi₃O₉:Ce³⁺ phosphor is a potential blue phosphor for solid state lighting.