Luminescent properties of SrSi2N2O2:Ce3+,Tb3+—a potential phosphor for white light emitting diodes

Ce3+ and Tb3+ co-doped SrSi2N2O2 phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction. The X-ray diffraction pattern exhibited that the phosphor consisted mainly of oxygen-rich SrSi2N2O2. The optical properties of SrSi2N2O2:Ce3+, SrSi2N2O2:Tb3+ and SrSi2N2O2:Ce3+,Tb3+ were studied, respectively. The emission intensity of Tb3+ at 541 nm was remarkably enhanced by Ce3+ in SrSi2N2O2:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphor, which was attributed to the energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+. The chromaticity coordinates of phosphors were investigated as a function of Tb3+ concentration. When the Ce3+ and Tb3+ concentrations were 0.02 and 0.18 mol per formula unit, respectively, the chromaticity coordinate was (0.257, 0.337) in the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram. SrSi2N2O2Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphors could be used for white light emitting diodes.