Luminescence properties of ZnSxO1-x:Ce3+ phosphors with tunable short fluorescence lifetime.

A series of rare-earth Ce3+-doped Zn(S x ,O 1- x) phosphors were synthesized and characterized. The phosphors exhibited the hexagonal phase ZnO and the hexagonal phase ZnS. The short fluorescence lifetime can be tuned within the range of 6 μs −200 μs and the emission wavelength can be tuned within from 448 nm to 495 nm. Zn(S x ,O 1- x):0.05Ce3+ phosphors have a potential to be utilized in the field of high-energy physics and astrophysical exploration. [Display omitted] • Zn(S x ,O 1- x):0.05Ce3+ phosphors are spherical with an average particle size of 2.24 μm. • The phosphors exhibited two mixed phases consisting of hexagonal phase ZnO and hexagonal phase ZnS. • The short fluorescence lifetime can be tuned within the range of 6 μs − 200 μs as the component content of the ZnS increases. • The emission wavelength can be tuned within from 448 nm to 495 nm as the component content of the ZnS decreases. Fluorescence lifetime of phosphors is a critical index in the field of high energy physics and astrophysical detection. A series of ZnS x O 1- x :0.05Ce3+ phosphors with tunable short fluorescence lifetime were prepared by performing high temperature solid state reaction method. The phosphors exhibited two mixed phases consisting of the hexagonal phase ZnO and the hexagonal phase ZnS. They are spherical and the average particle size is 2.24 μm. As the component content of the ZnS in ZnS x O 1- x :0.05Ce3+ phosphors varies, the emission wavelength can be tuned from 448 nm to 495 nm, the short fluorescence lifetime can be tuned within the range of 6 μs–200 μs. By performing exponential fitting, we obtained the equation for the variation of fluorescence lifetime of ZnS x O 1- x :0.05Ce3+ phosphors with ZnS fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]