Luminescence investigation of Eu3+ activated molybdates red phosphors and their applications in near-UV light-emitting diodes

Graphical abstract: By Sm3+–Eu3+ co-doping, the phosphor Na5Eu0.90Sm0.10(MoO4)4 exhibits efficient red-emitting with broadened absorption around 400 nm and appropriate CIE chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.66, y = 0.34), bright red light can be observed from the red LED based Na5Eu0.90Sm0.10(MoO4)4. Highlights: ► The excitation bands around 400 nm of these phosphors are broadened by Sm3+–Eu3+ co-doping. ► The phosphor Na5Eu0.90Sm0.10(MoO4)4 exhibits efficient red-emitting under near-UV excitation, compared with. Na5Eu(MoO4)4. ► Bright red light can be observed from the red LED based Na5Eu0.90Sm0.10(MoO4)4. ► The possible energy transfer process from Sm3+ to Eu3+ in these compounds was discussed. - Abstract: The red phosphors, Na5La1−xSmx(MoO4)4 and Na5Eu1−xSmx(MoO4)4, were prepared by solid-state reaction technique at high temperature. Their structure and photo-luminescent properties were investigated. The excitation bands around 400 nm of these phosphors are broadened by Sm3+–Eu3+ co-doping. And the possible energy transfer process from Sm3+ to Eu3+ in these compounds is also discussed briefly. The phosphor Na5Eu0.90Sm0.10(MoO4)4 exhibits efficient red-emitting with broadened absorption around 400 nm and appropriate CIE chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.66, y = 0.34), bright red light can be observed from the red LED based Na5Eu0.90Sm0.10(MoO4)4.