Synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of (Sr, Ca)3B2O6:Eu for application in white light-emitting diodes

A series of yellow–green (Sr, Ca)3B2O6:Eu phosphors have been synthesized using precursors prepared via a facile sol–gel route. The solid-solution phases crystallized to materials with the formula of Sr3−x−yCaxEuyB2O6 with varied Ca2+ and Eu2+ contents. The emission peak centered at 540 nm under near-UV excitation exhibited a broad-band distribution in the range of 450–650 nm. The dependences of the luminescence intensity on the contents of Ca2+ substitution and Eu2+ dopant were also investigated. The composition in the host lattice sensitively affected the chromaticity index. Sr1.21Ca1.7Eu0.09B2O6 (SCB:0.09Eu) was shown to possess the highest intensity and broadest emission band. Calcining temperature was shown to greatly influence the luminescent properties of SCB:0.09Eu. It is concluded that SCB:0.09Eu can be used as an efficient yellow–green phosphor for white light-emitting diodes (white LEDs) applications.