Structure variation and luminescence enhancement of BaLaMg(Sb, Nb)O6:Eu3+ double perovskite red phosphors based on composition modulation

A series of BaLaMgSb1-xNbxO6:Eu3+ double perovskite red phosphors was successfully obtained. X-ray diffraction ans Rietveld refinement analyses were conducted to determine the phase information and the detailed structure parameters. The coordinate variations of both La3+/Eu3+ and Sb5+/Nb5+ were discussed to elucidate the influence of B-site ion doping on the lattice variation. Luminescence properties, excitation and emission spectra, were presented to show the advantages of doping with Nb5+ ion. Ultraviolet-vis diffuse reflectance spectra were performed to reveal the reason for the decreased emission intensity under the charge transfer band excitation. Moreover, band gap energy was estimated to clarify the relationship between the increased intensity (λex = 395 and 465 nm) and Nb5+ concentration. Intensity ratios of I(615)/I(590) were performed to show the symmetry variation of the lattice. Thermal quenching property was also investigated and the quenching mechanism was discussed in detail based on the ionization process.