A new Na2BaCa(PO4)2: Eu3+ red-emitting phosphor with excellent thermal stability and high quantum efficiency for WLEDs

A series of new red phosphors Na2BaCa(PO4)2: xEu3+ was synthesized by the high temperature solid phase reaction method. Through employing X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, photoluminescence spectroscopy, quantum efficiency curves and high-precision rapid spectrometers, a systematic investigation was conducted on the microstructure and optical characteristics of the material. The XRD analysis of Na2BaCa(PO4)2: xEu3+ shows the sample to be a pure phase. The spectroscopic results show the presence of a red emission peak originated from 5D0 → 7F2 transition, and the quenching mechanism is attributed to interaction between nearest neighboring ions. Under 423 K, the fluorescence intensity of Na2BaCa(PO4)2: 0.2Eu3+ phosphor can still maintain 94.82 % of the value observed at 298 K, and the thermal activation energy ΔE reaches up to 0.3543 eV. The CCT of the LED packaged with Na2BaCa(PO4)2: 0.2Eu3+ was measured to be 4314 K, with the CIE coordinates (0.3658, 0.3600), which is very close to the point of standard white light source. The quantum efficiency of Na2BaCa(PO4)2: 0.2Eu3+ was measured to be 82.92 %. All results indicate that Na2BaCa(PO4)2: 0.2Eu3+ is suitable for WLED applications.