Dy 3+ and Mn 2+ emission in fluoride‐ and chloride‐based Na 3 (SO 4 ) X ( X = F or Cl) phosphors

In the present study, Na 3 (SO 4 ) X ( X  = F or Cl) halosulphate phosphors have been synthesized by the solid‐state diffusion method. The phase formation of the compounds Na 3 (SO 4 )F and Na 3 (SO 4 )Cl were confirmed by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurement. Photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectrum measurement of Na 3 (SO 4 )F:Ce 3+ and Na 3 (SO 4 )Cl:Ce 3+ shows this phosphor can be efficiently excited by near‐ultraviolet (UV) light and presents a dominant luminescence band centred at 341 nm for Ce 3+ , which is responsible for energy transfer to Dy 3+ and Mn 2+ ions. The efficient Ce 3+  → Dy 3+ energy transfer in Na 3 (SO 4 )F and Na 3 (SO 4 )Cl under UV wavelength was observed due to 4  F 9/2 to 6 H 15/2 and 6 H 13/2 level, while Ce 3+  → Mn 2+ was observed due to 4  T 1 state to 6 A 1 . The purpose of the present study is to develop and understanding the photoluminescence properties of Ce 3+ ‐, Dy 3+ ‐ and Mn 2+ ‐doped fluoride and chloride Na 3 (SO 4 ) X ( X  = F or Cl) luminescent material, which can be the efficient phosphors in many applications, such as scintillation applications, TL dosimetry and the lamp industry, etc. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.