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 Sr 2.94 MgSi 2 O 8 :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. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.