A potential red emitting K4Ca(PO4)2: Eu3+ phosphor for white light emitting diodes

Europium (III) ions doped red phosphors K4Ca(PO4)2 were prepared first time by high temperature solid state reaction method. The prepared phosphors structure was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. The thermal properties of the synthesized phosphor were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of K4Ca(PO4)2:Eu3+ phosphors have shown strong red emission at 618 nm (5D0→7F2) with near UV an excitation wavelength of λexc=394 nm (7F0→5L6). In addition, the decay curves and CIE color coordinate measurements are also carried out. Hence, emission and excitation characterization of synthesized phosphors shows that the phosphors may be a promising red component for the application in the white light emitting diodes (WLEDs).