Synthesis and effect of Ce and Mn co‐doping on photoluminescence characteristics of Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu novel phosphors

A series of Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 doped with rare earths (Eu and Ce) and co‐doped (Eu, Ce and Eu,Mn) were prepared by combustion synthesis. Under Hg‐free excitation, Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu exhibited Eu 2+ (486 nm) emission in the blue region of the spectrum and under near Hg excitation (245 nm), Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Ce phosphor exhibited Ce 3+ emission (357 nm) in the UV range. Photoluminescence (PL) peak intensity increased in Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu,Ce and Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu, Mn phosphors due to co‐activators of Ce 3+ and Mn 2+ ions. As a result, these ions played an important role in PL emission in the present matrix. Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu, Ce and Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu, Mn phosphors provided energy transfer mechanisms via Ce 3+  → Eu 2+ and Eu 2+  → Mn 2+ , respectively. Eu ions acted as activators and Ce ions acted as sensitizers. Ce emission energy was well matched with Eu excitation energy in the case of Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu, Ce and Eu ions acted as activators and Mn ions acted as sensitizers in Ca 6 AlP 5 O 20 :Eu, Mn. This study included synthesis of new and efficient phosphate phosphors. The impact of doping and co‐doping on photoluminescence properties and energy transfer mechanisms were investigated and we propose a feasible interpretation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.