Understanding the downconversion photoluminescence of NaLaP4O12:Er3+ phosphor

We have employed the solid-state chemical reaction to construct series of trivalent erbium ions activated NaLaP4O12 (abbreviated as: NLP) phosphors. The structural investigation indicates that NLP:Er3+ crystalline products are purely monoclinic phase with micron particles. Trivalent erbium ions with the substitution for lanthanum are successfully inserted into NLP host lattice. The UV-Vis diffuse reflectance absorption performance, doping Er3+ content-dependent downconversion photoluminescence, content quenching mechanism were reported in this paper. Upon near UV (378 nm) excitation, yellow/yellow-green visible light with the dominant S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) emission of trivalent erbium is displayed. Yellow-green emitting NLP:2%Er3+ sample has the maximum intensity and main luminescent peaks at 541 and 549 nm. The content quenching is related to the dipolar interaction. Additionally, the detailed investigation on CIE chromaticity coordinates, CP and CCT reveals that the title product has promising application in the field of white LEDs excited by near UV light.