Issue 6, 2020

Broadband near-infrared (NIR) emission realized by the crystal-field engineering of Y3−xCaxAl5−xSixO12:Cr3+ (x = 0–2.0) garnet phosphors

Abstract

The rapid development of portable spectrometers has evoked a large demand for minimized light sources; meanwhile, NIR phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (NIR pc-LEDs) are an optimal choice due to their compactness and low cost. The phosphors used in NIR spectroscopy (NIRS) are required to have broadband emission and high quantum efficiency (QE) for a wider detection range and efficient photo-to-electricity conversion. Inspired by the structural tunability of Y3Al5O12 (YAG), we proposed to achieve broadband emission by crystal field engineering, i.e., indirectly regulating the crystal field strength of Cr3+via the co-substitution of Y3+–Al3+ by Ca2+–Si4+ in YAG. The crystal field strength experienced on Cr3+ decreased as the octahedron was distorted and enlarged by the co-substitution. A broadband NIR emission with a large full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 160 nm and a high internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of ∼75.9% was realized in Y3−xCaxAl5−xSixO12:0.6% Cr (x = 1). The suitability of the investigated NIR phosphor was demonstrated by fabricating an NIR pc-LED prototype, and the detection resolution was improved by 30% compared to that of a traditional white pc-LED. These results indicate the great potential of the Y2CaAl4SiO12:Cr phosphors for use in highly precise and sensitive NIR pc-LEDs.

Graphical abstract: Broadband near-infrared (NIR) emission realized by the crystal-field engineering of Y3−xCaxAl5−xSixO12:Cr3+ (x = 0–2.0) garnet phosphors

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 oct. 2019
Accepted
12 dic. 2019
First published
12 dic. 2019

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020,8, 1981-1988

Broadband near-infrared (NIR) emission realized by the crystal-field engineering of Y3−xCaxAl5−xSixO12:Cr3+ (x = 0–2.0) garnet phosphors

M. Mao, T. Zhou, H. Zeng, L. Wang, F. Huang, X. Tang and R. Xie, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020, 8, 1981 DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05775G

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