A new Milarite type KMLS:Eu3+ orange-red-emitting phosphor for pc-white LEDs and Forensic applications

In this article, we present the synthesis and characterization of Eu3+-activated KMLS:Eu3+ phosphor for pc-WLEDs, latent fingerprint detection, and security ink applications. The structural phase, luminescent property, and colour purity of the as-prepared phosphor were investigated. XRD profiles and Rietveld refinement analysis confirm the hexagonal crystal system of the as-prepared phosphor. Concentration quenching effect was not observed up to 17 mol% of Eu3+. The site occupancy preferences of Eu3+ were investigated using the bond-valence model. The CIE-coordinate of optimal Eu3+ is estimated to be close to the standard NTSC value, and color purity is found to be above 90% for all the Eu3+ concentrations. Both Judd-Ofelt (J-O) analysis and asymmetric ratios revealed that the local environment around Eu3+ is asymmetric in nature. The radiative properties, including the stimulated emission cross section and optical gain parameters, of the highest concentration of Eu3+ (17mol%) were determined. Further, the results of thermal quenching analysis show that 91% of the luminescence intensity can be maintained at 150 °C, demonstrating good thermal stability. The multilevel ridge characteristics of the latent fingerprint stained with as-prepared phosphor could be clearly visualized under 254 nm UV excitation. All of the above results indicate that as-prepared phosphor materials can be suitable for use in forensic applications as well as solid state lighting applications.