Hydrothermal preparation and photoluminescent property of LiY(MoO4)2:Pr3+ red phosphors for white light-emitting diodes

Praseodymium doped lithium yttrium molybdate Li Y1-8x Pr x(Mo O4)2(x=0.005–0.025) phosphors were successfully prepared by the hydrothermal method. The phase, morphology, and luminescent property of the prepared phosphors were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that doping of Pr3+ ions did not change the main phase of the phosphors. The samples emitted red luminescence upon excitation at 453 nm and the strongest emission peak corresponding to the characteristic transition of the Pr3+ ion: 3P0→3F2 was observed at 657 nm. Li Y(Mo O4)2:Pr3+ red phosphors could be effectively excited by blue light emitting-diodes to emit red light; thus, acting as potential candidates for compensating the red light deficiency of cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet yellow phosphor.