Blue-green luminescence in Hg free excited Sr2P2O7:Tb3+ pyrophosphate phosphor for NUV excited LEDs

Abstract

Tb3+ activated Sr2P2O7 phosphor was prepared by modified solid state diffusion technique at 700°C. The XRD pattern of Sr2P2O7 is in well argument with the standard ICDD File (24-1011) available. Surface morphology of the present phosphor has been studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In photoluminescence investigation, the excitation spectra of the phosphor extends from 200 to 400 nm gives optimum absorption at 352 nm, which is mercury free excitation and characteristics of NUV excited LED. Under the excitation of 352 nm, Sr2P2O7 doped with trivalent terbium ions produces weak blue emission between 400-500 nm owing to the 5D3 to the 7FJ transitions of Tb3+ and strong green emission in 500650 nm region of the visible spectrum due to the 4f-4f transitions from the 5D4 to 7FJ (J=6, 5, 4, 3) states of Tb3+. The entire study reveals that the present phosphor have promising applications in the lamp industry especially for solid state lighting (mercury free excited lamp phosphor) and NUV LEDs.