Realization of neutral white light emission in CaMoO4:4Dy3+ phosphor via Sm3+co-doping

In this paper, Dy3+/Sm3+ co-doped CaMoO4 compounds were synthesized successfully via the auto-combustion method. The tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphors is confirmed by structural study. The vibrational modes are examined by infrared spectroscopy. It has been observed that 4% Dy3+ doped CaMoO4 phosphor shows maximum luminescence intensity. Further, Sm3+ ions are co-doped in 4% Dy3+ doped CaMoO4 for improving their luminescence properties. The Photoluminescence study illustrates energy transfer between [MoO4]−2 groups and Dy3+/Sm3+ ions, under 296 nm excitation. The Dy3+ doped CaMoO4 phosphors emit two sharp peaks at 484 nm (4F9/2→6H15/2) and 574 nm (4F9/2→6H13/2). Further, with Sm3+ co-doping in 4% Dy3+ doped CaMoO4 phosphor, another distinctive emission peak is observed at 647 nm, which is attributed to 4G5/2→6H9/2 electric dipole transition of Sm3+ ion. The Dy3+/Sm3+ co-doped CaMoO4 phosphor gives overall white light emission. For 3% Sm3+ co-doped CaMoO4:4Dy3+ phosphor, white light is obtained with the CCT value of 4439 K. Hence, the prepared phosphor might be used in white lighting diode applications. [Display omitted] •A series of Dy3+ and Sm3+ doped, and Sm3+ co-doped CaMoO4:4%Dy3+ phosphors were synthesized via auto-combustion process.•The XRD and FT-IR study confirm the tetragonal phase of pure and doped CaMoO4phosphor.•The Dy3+ doped CaMoO4 emission peaks lies at 488 nm and 574 nm, which produces cold white light with 5389 K CCT value.•The energy transfer efficiency from Dy3+ to Sm3+ ions is around 50% for 3% Sm3+ co-doped CaMoO4:4%Dy3+ phosphor.•The shift from cold white light to neutral white light is obtained by co-doping Sm3+ ions with 4439 K CCT value.