Spectroscopic properties of Na(Sr,Ba)VO4:Eu3+ novel red-emitting phosphors for solid state lighting applications

► Novel Na(Sr,Ba)VO4:Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized by solid sate reaction method. ► Characterized the structure, morphology and optical properties of these phosphors. ► Effect of doping of Ba on crystal symmetry and fluorescence enhancement. ► Suitability of alkaline earth metal vanadate phosphors for solid state lighting. Eu3+-activated novel alkaline earth metal (Sr and Ba) vanadate phosphors, Na(Sr0.97−x,Bax)VO4:Eu0.033+ (x=0–0.97) have been successfully synthesized using solid state reaction method and characterized through structure, morphology, elemental analysis, luminescence (excitation, emission and CIE coordinate) and decay rate properties as a function of Ba ion concentration. Phosphors show a broad excitation band (monitored for 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+) in the 230–430nm wavelength regions which make them highly suitable for GaN-based LED chips. These phosphors can be efficiently excited by near UV light and exhibit a dominant red emission at 613nm (5D0→7F2). The decay lifetime and color coordinates were evaluated for Na(Sr,Ba)VO4:Eu3+ phosphors. Hence, these phosphors could be a potential candidate for light emitting diodes and display applications.