LiZnPO4:Tb3+, Ce3+ green phosphors with high efficiency

Tb3+ and Ce3+ co-activated LiZnPO4 phosphors with high luminescence efficiency were synthesized by a high temperature solid-state reaction at 1000°C for 3 h. The XRD patterns, photoluminescence spectra and SEM were recorded and the effects of Tb3+ and Ce3+ concentration, sintering condition on the luminescent properties of as-synthesized phosphors were investigated. The emission spectra under ultraviolet (200–300 nm) radiation showed a dominant peak at 543 nm attributed to the 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb3+, which was greatly enhanced by the co-doping of Ce3+, indicating that there occurred an efficient non-radiative energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+. The optimal doping concentrations of Tb3+ and Ce3+ were determined to be 9% and 10%, respectively.