Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Ca19Mg2(PO4)14:Sm3+ red phosphor for white light emitting diodes

A series of Sm3+ doped Ca19Mg2(PO4)14 red phosphors were successfully synthesized. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that all the samples are single phased. The luminescence property is investigated in detail by measuring their photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. Ca19Mg2(PO4)14:Sm3+ phosphors show strong absorption in 400–410 nm region, which is suitable for application in LEDs. When excited at 403 nm, Ca19Mg2(PO4)14:Sm3+ phosphor can emit red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.615, 0.384). The optimal doping concentration of Sm3+ doped Ca19Mg2(PO4)14 is measured to be 0.02. The thermal quenching property is also measured and compared with the commercial red phosphor Y2O3:Eu3+ (Topstar, TXC-RIA). The results indicate Ca19Mg2(PO4)14:Sm3+ phosphors have potential to serve as a red phosphor for white LEDs.