Photoluminescence properties of Eu³⁺ and Al³⁺-doped Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇ red phosphors for plant growth LEDs

A set of Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:Eu³⁺ and Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:Eu³⁺, Al³⁺ red phosphors were prepared by the solid-phase reaction method. With 394 nm as the excitation wavelength, all samples were characterized by two major emission bands around 618 nm (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) and 702 nm (⁵D₀→⁷F₄). Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:0.03Eu³⁺ phosphor exhibits the best luminescence intensity and its luminescent property is consumed enhanced by doping with Al³⁺. The quantum yield (QY) of Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:0.03Eu³⁺ and Ca₂ZnS_i2O₇:0.03Eu³⁺,0.03Al³⁺ reaches 77.79% and 81.73%, respectively. In addition, Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:0.03Eu³⁺ and Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:0.03Eu³⁺,0.03Al³⁺ samples exhibit good photothermal stability. The color coordinates of Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:0.03Eu³⁺ are (0.641,0.358) with a color purity of 91.97%. Doping by Al³⁺ has little influence on the color coordinate and color purity of Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇:0.03Eu³⁺. The above finding reveals that the prepared phosphors have great potential for application in indoor plant growth light illumination and other fields.