Characterization and photoluminescent properties of sol–gel-derived Ca2(1−x)La7.6+x(SiO4)6O2:Eu0.4, Lix phosphors

Red-emitting Ca2(1−x)La7.6+x(SiO4)6O2:Eu0.4, Lix (CLS:Eu0.4, Lix) phosphors were synthesized via a citric acid based sol–gel combustion method. The morphologies, crystal structures and optical properties of these phosphors were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, respectively. The CLS:Eu0.4 based phosphors readily excited under UV light (387 nm), which makes them promising red-emitting candidates for commercial near-UV light emitting diodes (LEDs)-pumped white LEDs. After doping with Li+ ions, the CLS:Eu0.4, Lix phosphors exhibited remarkably enhanced photoluminescent performances. Additionally, the emission intensity of CLS:Eu0.4, Lix phosphors generated using the sol–gel combustion method was found to be much higher than for those obtained using a solid-state reaction method. This finding indicated the sol–gel combustion method could be considered a versatile route for producing high-quality CLS:Eu0.4, Lix phosphors.