Bi3+ occupancy rearrangement in K2-xAxMgGeO4 phosphor to achieve ultra-broad-band white emission based on alkali metal substitution engineering

Ultra-broad-band white emitting phosphors have a wide application prospect in the new generation of illumi-nation systems. Due to the sensitivity of Bi3+ to the surrounding environment, it exhibits different luminescence properties in different crystallographic sites, which makes it easy to achieve white emission. Cationic substitution engineering is the most effective strategy for controlling the environment around Bi-site and realizing the spectrum tuning. Herein, we conducted substitution engineering in K2MgGeO4:Bi3+ (KMGO:Bi3+) that uses alkali metal A(+) (A = Li, Na, Rb) to substitute K+. The difference in emission spectrum excited at various wavelengths is related to extra luminescent centers generation and Bi3+ occupancy rearrangement in KMGO:Bi3+ under the influence of Li+ and Na+ , which also leads to the expansion of full widths at half-maximum (FWHM) to 204 nm forming a bright white emission. Besides, the modulation of Rb+ increases the activation energy and enhances its thermal stability to 88.66%. The high R-a values (93.4) of the fabricated WLED indicate that K1.456Na0.54MgGeO4:0.004Bi(3+) could be used as a single-component white phosphor in solid-state lighting. Our research shows that alkali metal substitution engineering is of great significance to controlling the luminescence emission and improving the thermal stability of luminescent materials.

Automated summary

The cationic substitution engineering in KMGO:Bi3+ using Li+ and Na+ leads to the generation of extra luminescent centers, expanding the full width at half maximum (FWHM) to 204 nm and forming a bright white emission. On the other hand, modulation of Rb+ increases the activation energy and enhances thermal stability of the material. The high R-a values of the fabricated WLED suggest that K1.456Na0.54MgGeO4:0.004Bi(3+) could serve as a single-component white phosphor in solid-state lighting. This research highlights the significance of alkali metal substitution engineering in controlling luminescence emissions and improving thermal stability.