Luminescence properties, energy transfer and thermal stability of white emitting phosphor Sr(3)(PO(4))(2):Ce(3+)/Tb(3+)/Mn(2+) for white LEDs

A series of Sr(3)(PO(4))(2):Ce(3+)/Mn(2+)/Tb(3+) phosphors were synthesized by a high temperature solid phase method. After introducing Ce(3+) as sensitizer in Sr(3)(PO(4))(2):Ce(3+)/Mn(2+), the efficient energy transfer from Ce(3+) to Mn(2+) was observed and analyzed in detail, and Sr(3)(PO(4))(2):Ce(3+)/Mn(2+) was demonstrated to be color tunable, changing from blue to orange red. In addition, Tb(3+) ion, which mainly emits green light, was further added into the Sr(3)(PO(4))(2):Ce(3+)/Mn(2+). Due to the addition of this green emission, the white emitting phosphors with good quality were obtained. At the same time, the energy transfer mechanisms among Ce(3+), Tb(3+) and Mn(2+) ions were also analyzed in detail. The results show that Sr(3)(PO(4))(2):Ce(3+)/Mn(2+)/Tb(3+) is a promising candidate for white light emitting diodes.