Influence of Gd3+ doping on the luminescent of Sr2P2O7:Eu3+ orange–red phosphors

A novel orange–red emitting Sr2P2O7:Eu3+, Gd3+ phosphor was synthesized by a traditional solid state reaction method in air atmosphere. The phase, photoluminescence properties, energy transfer and fluorescent thermal stability of as-prepared samples were investigated. Sr2P2O7 phase has a 3D-network structure, where [P2O7] groups connect with each other by corner sharing and Sr2+ ions locate at the polyhedral form in the P–O network. The orange–red emitting luminescence from Eu3+ with the aid of efficient energy transfer between Eu3+ and Gd3+ have been discussed in detail. Sr2P2O7:Eu3+, Gd3+ phosphor shows bright orange–red emission from Eu3+ with peaks around 592 nm and 613 nm under ultraviolet excitation. The novel phosphor showed weak thermal quenching and excellent luminescence properties, and are therefore of high potential as orange–red phosphor in lighting field.