Thermally stable luminescence of SrMg2(PO4)2: Eu2+ phosphor for white light NUV light-emitting diodes

A blue phosphor based on phosphate host matrix, SrMg2(PO4)2: Eu2+, was prepared by solid state reaction. The phosphor emits bright blue luminescence with a peak wavelength at 423 nm under ultraviolet excitation at 363 nm. Based on the experimental results and the theoretical calculation, it is identified that the dipole–dipole interaction plays a major role in the mechanism of concentration quenching of Eu2+ in SrMg2(PO4)2: Eu2+ phosphor. In addition, the obtained phosphor SrMg2(PO4)2: Eu2+ exhibits higher thermal stability than commercially available YAG: Ce3+ phosphor, especially above 390 K.