Synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of Sm3+-doped Bi4Si3O12 red-emitting phosphor

A series of novel red-emitting Sm3+-doped bismuth silicate phosphors, Bi4Si3O12:xSm(3+) (0.01x0.06), were prepared via the sol-gel route. The phase of the synthesized samples calcinated at 800 degrees C is isostructural with Bi4Si3O12 according to X-ray diffraction results. Under excitation with 405nm light, some typical peaks of Sm3+ ions centered at 566, 609, 655 and 715nm are found in the emission spectra of the Sm3+-doped Bi4Si3O12 phosphors. The strongest peak located at 609nm is due to (4)G(5/2)-H-6(7/2) transition of Sm3+. The luminescence intensity reaches its maximum value when the Sm3+ ion content is 4mol%. The results suggest that Bi4Si3O12:Sm3+ may be a potential red phosphor for white light-emitting diodes. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.