Tunable lanthanide/transition metal ion-doped novel phosphors for possible application in w-LEDs: a review

Lanthanide-based phosphors have been extensively investigated for their possible applications in solid-state lighting technologies especially for white-light-emitting diodes. In this review article emphasis has been laid on discussing the recent developments of phosphors for warm white-light production based on various optical characteristics such as quantum efficiency, thermal stability, short emission decay time, long-term stability, facile synthesis, and low cost of production. We have tried to cover the essential and latest discoveries of the lanthanide/rare earth-doped phosphors after 2010. New generations of narrow-band phosphors have also been included. The optical and material properties of several novel phosphors and their luminescence characteristics have been thoroughly discussed.