Sol–gel synthesis and luminescence property of Sr4Al2O7:Re3+,R+ (Re = Eu and Dy; R = Li, Na and K) phosphors for white LEDs

Abstract Sr 4 Al 2 O 7 :Eu 3+ and Sr 4 Al 2 O 7 :Dy 3+ phosphors with alkali metal substitution were prepared using a sol–gel method. The effects of a charge compensator R on the structure and luminescence of Sr 4 Al 2 O 7 :Re 3+ ,R + (Re = Eu and Dy; R = Li, Na and K) phosphors were investigated in detail. Upon heating to 1400°C, the structure of the prepared samples was that of the standard phase of Sr 4 Al 2 O 7 . Under ultraviolet excitation, all Sr 4 Al 2 O 7 :Eu 3+ ,R + samples exhibited several narrow emission peaks ranging from 550 to 700 nm due to the 4f → 4f transition of Eu 3+ ions. All Sr 4 Al 2 O 7 :Dy 3+ ,R + phosphors showed two emission peaks at 492 and 582 nm, due to the 4 F 9/2 → 6 H 15/2 and 4 F 9/2 → 6 H 13/2 transitions of Dy 3+ ions, respectively. The luminescence intensity of Sr 4 Al 2 O 7 :Re 3+ ,R + (Re = Eu and Dy; R = Li, Na and K) phosphors improved markedly upon the addition of charge compensators, promoting their application in white light‐emitting diodes with a near‐ultraviolet chip.