Realizing near-UV light excitation of Mn2+ via efficient energy transfer from Eu2+ for white LEDs

[Display omitted] •The highest energy transfer efficiency of Eu2+ → Mn2+ can achieve about 78 %.•The integrated emission intensity of Al5O6N:Eu2+, Mn2+ at 150 ℃ can maintain 82 %.•The tunable color emission of the samples can be realized tuned from blue to green. A series of Eu2+ and Mn2+ co-activated Al5O6N multi-color phosphors were fabricated through the gas-pressure sintering method, and they displayed intense blue-green emitting at near-ultraviolet irradiation due to efficient energy transfer. Dipole-dipole interaction was proved to be the leading role for Eu2+-Mn2+energy transfer and the highest energy transfer efficiency was obtained about 78 %. Furthermore, tunable emissions from blue to green were observed through regulating the concentration of Eu2+ and Mn2+. In addition, the temperature-dependent luminescence behavior of Al5O6N:Eu2+, Mn2+ was examined, and the emission intensity at 150℃ maintains 82 % of initial intensity, which indicates superior thermal stability. These outcomes illustrate that the Al5O6N: Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors may be potentially used in white LEDs.