Luminescence properties and energy transfer mechanism of Ce3+/Mn2+ co-doped transparent glass-ceramics containing β-Zn2SiO4 nano-crystals for white light emission

A series of Ce3+/Mn2+ doped transparent glass-ceramics containing beta-Zn2SiO4 nano-crystals were prepared by heat-treatment on the as-made glasses and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated. Emission spectra of the glass-ceramics show a blue broad band peaking at 430 nm and a yellow band peaking at about 575 nm, originate from the allowed 5d -> 4f transition of Ce3+ ion and the T-4(1g) (4G) -> (6)A(1g)(S-6) transition of Mn2+ ion, respectively. Energy transfer from Ce3+ to Mn2+ via a dipole-quadrupole mechanism was confirmed by the luminescence spectra, decay time data, and the calculation of energy transfer efficiency of the glass-ceramics. The critical distance (RC) of energy transfer was calculated to be 8.32 angstrom. The varied emission color of Ce3+/Mn2+ doped transparent glass-ceramics from blue to white and eventually to yellow can be achieved by tuning the relative ratio of the Ce3+ to Mn2+ ions based on the principle of energy transfer. Based on the results in this study, Ce3+/Mn2+ doped transparent glass-ceramics can be used as a potential matrix material for White LED under UV-LED excitation. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.