Abstract

A series of phosphors, SrWO₄:5 mol% Dy³⁺, SrWO₄:5 mol% Sm³⁺, and SrWO₄:5 mol% Dy³⁺:x Sm³⁺ (x＝1~15 mol%), were prepared using a facile co-precipitation. The crystal structure, morphology, photoluminescence properties, and application in anti-counterfeiting fields were investigated. The crystalline structures of the prepared phosphors were found to be tetragonal systems with the dominant peak occurring at the (112) plane. The excitation spectra of the Dy³⁺ singly-doped SrWO₄ phosphors were composed of an intense charge-transfer band centered at 246 nm in the range of 210~270 nm and two weak peaks at 351 nm and 387 nm due to the ⁶H_15/2→⁶P_7/2 and ⁶H_15/2→⁴I_13/2 transitions of Dy³⁺ ions, respectively. The wavelength of 246 nm was optimum for exciting the luminescence of Dy³⁺ and Sm³⁺ co-doped SrWO₄ phosphors. The emission spectra consisted of two intense blue and yellow emission bands at 480 nm and 573 nm corresponding to the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transitions of Dy³⁺, and two strong emission peaks at 599 nm and 643 nm originating from the ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2 and ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_9/2 transitions of Sm³⁺, respectively. As the concentration of Sm³⁺ ions increased, the emission intensities of Dy³⁺ rapidly decreased, while the emission intensities of Sm³⁺ gradually increased. These results suggest that the color of the emission light can be tuned from yellow to white by changing the concentration of Sm³⁺ ions at a fixed 5 mol% Dy³⁺. Furthermore, the fluorescent security inks were synthesized for use in anti-counterfeiting applications.

• Keywords: Phosphor, Photoluminescence, Doping