Structural and luminescent properties of cerium-ion doped barium borophosphates

The effects of synthesis conditions on the luminescence characteristics of Ce3+ in barium borophosphate phosphors are investigated in the present study. Synthesis of cerium-ion doped BaBPO5 in the oxidizing atmosphere results in partial reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+. The dominant emission at 320 nm arises due to Ce3+ located at Ba2+ sites without local charge compensation; while, the relatively weak emission at 380 nm is ascribed to Ce3+ substituting at Ba2+ sites in association with charge compensatory vacancy. The complete reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+ occurs for the samples heated in the reducing atmosphere. The increased luminescence of BaBPO5 codoped with cerium and sodium ions is attributed to the reduction in non-radiative energy transfer. C 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.