Synthesis and luminescence enhancement of CaTiO3:Bi3+ yellow phosphor by codoping Al3+/B3+ ions

CaTiO3:Bi3+ and CaTiO3:Bi3+, Al3+/B3+ phosphors are synthesized by solid-state reaction method in air. With excitation 272 and 320 nm, broad PL band peaking at 555 nm with full width at half maximum ∼200 nm is observed in the range of 400–800 nm due to the 3P1,0 → 1S0 transitions of Bi3+ ion. PLE spectrum monitored at 555 nm contains two PLE band peaking at ∼272 and 320 nm within the range 230–420 nm owing to metal-to-metal charge-transfer and 1S0 → 3P1 transition of Bi3+ ion, respectively. The optimal Bi3+ doping concentration in CaTiO3:Bi3+ phosphor is about 0.5 mol%. Luminescence properties of CaTiO3:Bi3+ phosphor may be improved obviously by co-doping Al3+/B3+ ions, and its emission intensity can be enhanced 13–15 times after Al3+ ion is co-doped. Luminous mechanism of CaTiO3:Bi3+ phosphor is analyzed by energy level diagram of Bi3+ ion. Decay curve and time-resolved spectra confirm that only a single type of Bi3+ luminescence center exists in CaTiO3:Bi3+ phosphor.