Sol–gel synthesis and analysis of high efficiency submicron-sized Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphor for white light emitting diodes

Submicron-sized Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphors were synthesized by the sol–gel (SG) method and the phase, morphology and photoluminescence of the phosphors were investigated. The submicron-sized Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphor prepared by the SG method at 1300 °C showed lower phase-forming temperature, more uniform morphology and more excellent photoluminescence property compared to the phosphor prepared by the conventional solid state (SS) method. The fabrication of single-color light emitting diodes show that the prepared submicron-sized Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphor can be considered as a more promising high efficiency candidate used for white light emitting diodes than the phosphor made by the SS method. -- Highlights: • Submicron-sized Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphors were synthesized by the SG method at lower temperature. • The sample prepared presents a more uniform morphology and more excellent photoluminescence compared to the conventional SS sample. • The thermal quenching property of the submicron-sized sample may have some relationship with its configuration and energy changes brought by heat. • The submicron-sized phosphor is confirmed to be a more promising candidate used for WLEDs by fabrication of single-color LEDs