Effect of Dy3+ or Eu2+ co-activator on a BaCa(SO4)2:Ce3+ mixed alkaline earth sulfate phosphor

Abstract

The individual emission and energy transfer between Ce3+ and Eu2+ or Dy3+ in BaCa(SO4)2 mixed alkaline earth sulfate phosphor prepared using a co-precipitation method is described. The phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) studies and doped by Ce;Eu and Dy rare earths. All phosphors showed excellent blue-orange emission on excitation with UV light. PL measurements reveal that the emission intensity of Eu2+ or Dy3+ dopants is greater than when they are co-doped with Ce3+. An efficient Ce3+ → Eu2+ [2T2g(4f65d) → 8S7/2(4f7)] and Ce3+ → Dy3+ (4 F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4 F9/2 → 6H13/2) energy transfer takes place in the BaCa(SO4)2 host. A strong blue emission peak was observed at 462 nm for Eu2+ ions and an orange emission peak at 574 nm for Dy3+ ions. Hence, this phosphor may be used as a lamp phosphor.