Spectroscopic properties of red-emitting phosphor series (Y4-xEux)Zn4(SiO4)5 (x = 0.004–4) based on the site occupation of Eu3+ ion.

Y 4 Zn 4 (SiO 4) 5 silicate doped with Eu3+ ions was prepared by the high temperature solid state method. The phase purity of phosphor series (Y 4- x Eu x)Zn 4 (SiO 4) 5 (0.004 ≤ x ≤ 4) was checked by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure, interatomic distances, and atom coordination numbers of Eu 4 Zn 4 (SiO 4) 5 were determined using x-ray powder diffraction. A study of the luminescent properties of (Y 4- x Eu x)Zn 4 (SiO 4) 5 was carried out employing photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra and luminescence decay. The occupied sites of Eu3+ ions, relative intensity between magnetic dipole transition and electric dipole transition and the 7F J levels splitting by the crystal field were discussed in terms of a low symmetry site of Y3+ ion in the Y 4 Zn 4 (SiO 4) 5 host lattice. The concentration quenching of Eu3+ luminescence was also investigated from the concentration dependence of the decay time measured for Eu3+5D 0 → 7F 1,2 luminescence. • Compounds Eu 4 Zn 4 (SiO 4) 5 and Y 4 Zn 4 (SiO 4) 5 were isostructural. • Only one Eu3+ site was confirmed based on emission line of 5D 0.→ 7F 0 transition. • 5D 0.→ 7F J transitions split into multiple peaks were due to low symmetry Eu site. • The interaction mechanism between Eu3+ ions was the dipole-dipole coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]