Pure orange color emitting Sm3+ doped BaNb2O6 phosphor for solid - state lighting applications

Single phase pure orange light emitting BaNb2O6:xSm(3+) (0.5 <= x <= 3.0 mol%) phosphors with orthorhombic structure have been synthesized via high temperature solid state reaction method. Crystal structure, morphology, luminescent and decay properties were studied extensively for the synthesized phosphor. The luminescence spectrum of Sm3+ doped BaNb2O6 phosphor exhibits three intense peaks centered at 565, 599 and 645 nm corresponding to the (4)G(5/2) -> H-6(5/2), (4)G(5/2) -> H-6(7/2) and (4)G(5/2) -> H-6(9/2) transitions, respectively. The optimum concentration for Sm3+ doped BaNb2O6 is observed as 1.5 mol% and the probable energy transfer mechanisms between Sm3+ ions caused concentration quenching have been explained in detail. The calculated Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates have been found to be (0.557, 0.440) lies in the pure orange region, which is in the close proximity to the Nichia corporation developed amber LED. The luminescence decay lifetime for (4)G(5/2) excited level was found to be in the microseconds (mu s) range. The Sm3+ doped BaNb2O6 phosphor could be a potential candidate for use in the display and solid - state lighting applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.