Synthesis and luminescence property of Li2BaP2O7:Ln3+ (Ln=Eu, Sm) phosphors

Phosphate compounds as host materials are always a good choice for lanthanides to exhibit luminescence. The novel phosphors of Li2BaP2O7 activated with the trivalent Eu3+ and Sm3+ ions were synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction. In characterization, crystallization, morphology and luminescent properties of lithium barium diphosphate were investigated. The excitation and emission spectra were recorded to study the luminescence properties. The as prepared powders of Eu3+ and Sm3+ ions doped Li2BaP2O7 emit reddish orange light, corresponding to 5D0→7F1(595 nm) and 4G5/2→6H7/2(599 nm) transitions, respectively. The study is novel as no such luminescence data are available for this compound. -- Highlights: • Luminescence characterization of Li2BaP2O7:Sm3+, Eu3+ prepared phosphors are first time reported in this paper. • Sm3+ ions luminescence quenches just after 0.5 mol% in Li2BaP2O7:Sm3+ phosphor. • Excitation wavelengths are quite far away from mercury, hence Li2BaP2O7:Sm3+, Eu3+ is eco-friendly materials for lighting. • 5D0→7F1 and 4G5/2→6H7/2 transitions are dominant in Li2BaP2O7:Sm3+, Eu3+ indicates local symmetry