Synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of Sm super(3) super(+)-doped Bi sub(4)Si sub(3)O sub(12) red-emitting phosphor

A series of novel red-emitting Sm super(3) super(+)-doped bismuth silicate phosphors, Bi sub(4)Si sub(3)O sub(12):xSm super(3) super(+) (0.01 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.06), were prepared via the sol-gel route. The phase of the synthesized samples calcinated at 800 degree C is isostructural with Bi sub(4)Si sub(3)O sub(12) according to X-ray diffraction results. Under excitation with 405 nm light, some typical peaks of Sm super(3) super(+) ions centered at 566, 609, 655 and 715 nm are found in the emission spectra of the Sm super(3) super(+)-doped Bi sub(4)Si sub(3)O sub(12) phosphors. The strongest peak located at 609 nm is due to super(4)G sub(5) sub(/2)- super(6)H sub(7) sub(/2) transition of Sm super(3) super(+). The luminescence intensity reaches its maximum value when the Sm super(3) super(+) ion content is 4 mol%. The results suggest that Bi sub(4)Si sub(3)O sub(12):Sm super(3) super(+) may be a potential red phosphor for white light-emitting diodes.