Improved Photoluminescence Performance of Eu(3+)-Doped Y(2)(MoO(4))(3) Red-Emitting Phosphor via Orderly Arrangement of the Crystal Lattice

In this study, we developed a technology for broadening the 465 nm and 535 nm excitation peaks of Eu(3+):Y(2)(MoO(4))(3) via crystal lattice orderly arrangement. This was achieved by powder particle aggregation and diffusion at a high temperature to form a ceramic structure. The powdered Eu(3+):Y(2)(MoO(4))(3) was synthesized using the combination of a sol–gel process and the high-temperature solid-state reaction method, and it then became ceramic via a sintering process. Compared with the Eu(3+):Y(2)(MoO(4))(3) powder, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the excitation peak of the ceramic was broadened by two- to three-fold. In addition, the absorption efficiency of the ceramic was increased from 15% to 70%, while the internal quantum efficiency reduced slightly from 95% to 90%, and the external quantum efficiency was enhanced from 20% to 61%. More interestingly, the Eu(3+):Y(2)(MoO(4))(3) ceramic material showed little thermal quenching below a temperature of 473 K, making it useful for high-lumen output operating at a high temperature.