Photoluminescence properties of Ca2 Al2 O5 :RE3+ (RE = Eu, Dy and Tb) phosphors for solid state lighting.

Ca2 Al2 O5 :Eu3+ , Ca2 Al2 O5 :Dy3+ and Ca2 Al2 O5 :Tb3+ phosphors were synthesized using a combustion synthesis method. The prepared phosphors were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction for phase purity, by scanning electron microscopy for morphology, and by photoluminescence for emission and excitation measurements. The Ca2 Al2 O5 :Eu3+ phosphors could be efficiently excited at 396 nm and showed red emission at 594 nm and 616 nm due to 5 D0  → 7 F1 and 5 D0  → 7 F2 transitions. Dy3+ -doped phosphors showed blue emission at 482 nm and yellow emission at 573 nm. Ca2 Al2 O5 :Tb3+ phosphors showed emission at 545 nm when excited at 352 nm. Concentration quenching occurred in both Eu3+ and Dy3+ phosphors at 0.5 mol%. Photoluminescence results suggested that the aluminate-based phosphor could be a potential candidate for application in environmentally friendly based lighting technologies.