Enhanced photoluminescence and energy transfer behavior in Ba3Lu4O9: Bi3+,Eu3+ for flexible lighting applications

In this work, we report a color-tunable green-orange-emitting phosphor by introducing Bi3+ and Eu3+ into Ba3Lu4O9 host lattice. The emission spectra of Ba3Lu4O9:Bi3+,Eu3+ cover the whole visible spectral region, and present both the typical emissions from P-3(1) - S-1(0) transitions of Bi3+ and D-5(0,1) - F-7(J) transitions of Eu3+. The energy transfer behavior in the phosphor has been verified, based on which the emitting color of Ba3Lu4(0.98-y)O9:0.08Bi(3+),4yEu(3+) (y = 0-0.08) can be tuned from yellowish green (0.3188, 0.4491) to orange (0.5304, 0.3871). The phosphor Ba3Lu3.6O9:0.08Bi(3+),0.32Eu(3+) shows 33.3% improvement in emission intensity of Eu3+ compared with that of Ba3Lu3.92O9:0.32Eu3+. Moreover, soft polydimethylsiloxane/phosphor composite films were prepared utilizing the Ba3Lu4O9:Bi3+,Eu3+. Intense green-orange emissions suggest that the phosphors and corresponding s-PDMS-based films can be considered as promising candidates for near-UV pumped lighting and flexible devices. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a color-tunable green-orange-emitting phosphor Ba3Lu4O9:Bi3+,Eu3+ was successfully prepared by introducing Bi3+ and Eu3+ into the host lattice. The emission spectra cover the whole visible region and show typical emissions from both Bi3+ and Eu3+, with the emitting color being tunable. Energy transfer behavior in the phosphor was confirmed, resulting in improved emission intensity of Eu3+. Moreover, composite films made with the phosphor show promising potential for near-UV pumped lighting and flexible devices.