Enhanced photoluminescence and energy transfer performance of Y(3)Al(4)GaO(12):Mn(4+),Dy(3+) phosphors for plant growth LED lights

Plant growth LEDs have attracted broad attention in modern society, desperate for specific phosphors with a characteristic emission band. A novel Mn(4+) and Dy(3+) co-doped Y(3)Al(4)GaO(12) phosphor were successfully prepared through a conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. A three band emission including red (625–700 nm), orange (550–607 nm) and blue (462–490 nm) is observed in these phosphors when excited under a near-UV lamp, which is ascribed to (2)E → (4)A(2) of Mn(4+), (4)F(9/2) → (6)H(15/2) and (4)F(9/2) → (6)H(13/2) of Dy(3+), respectively. The three emissions match the absorption spectra of chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B well. Meanwhile, the energy transfer from Dy(3+) to Mn(4+) was confirmed by the luminescence spectra and lifetime analysis. Finally, an LED device was fabricated that consisted of a 365 nm ultraviolet chip and the Y(3)Al(4)GaO(12):Mn(4+),Dy(3+) phosphor. The excellent properties indicate that the synthesized phosphor has a promising application in the optical agricultural industry.