Photoluminescence in singly and co-doped K3Gd(PO4)2:Sm3+, Eu3+ phosphate phosphors

Singly and co-doped K3Gd(PO4)(2):Sm3+, Eu3+ phosphate phosphors were prepared using the solid-state reaction (SSR) technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the centro-symmetric primitive monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/m. The luminescence was studied by photoluminescence spectroscopy and to explore the energy transfer from Gd3+ to activator Sm3+ and Eu3+ ions, the fluorescence decay curve of the synthesized phosphors was verified. The strong photoluminescence emission (PL) in the visible region recorded at 615 nm was attributed to D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition of Eu3+ ions and 600 nm attributed to (5)G(5/2) -> H-4(7/2) transition of Sm3+ ions. The energy transfer from Sm3+ to Eu3+ is discussed using an energy level diagram. The CIE coordinates and color-correlated temperature of K3Gd(PO4)(2) phosphor were estimated. This phosphor has potential applications in w-LEDs.