Synthesis and tunable luminescence of BaLaGa₃O₇:Bi³⁺/Eu³⁺ phosphors

A series of Bi³⁺ and/or Eu³⁺ activated BaLaGa₃O₇ phosphors were prepared using a high-temperature solid-state sintering technique. The phase and luminescent performance were investigated. The Bi³⁺ doped BaLaGa₃O₇ phosphors display broadband blue emission resulting from the ³P₁ → ¹S₀ transition. The Eu³⁺ doped BaLaGa₃O₇ phosphors exhibit sharp emission bands in the range of 575–725 nm. Energy transfer from Bi³⁺ to Eu³⁺ occurs in the BaLaGa₃O₇:Bi³⁺/Eu³⁺ phosphors, as confirmed by the emission spectra and decay characteristics. The energy transfer results in tunable luminescence and the generation of white light by the BaLaGa₃O₇:0.05Bi³⁺/0.05Eu³⁺ phosphor. The luminous mechanisms and energy transfer processes of the phosphors were speculated based on the findings of this work and the energy level diagrams of Eu³⁺ and Bi³⁺ ions. The potential applications of the prepared BaLaGa₃O₇:0.05Bi³⁺/0.05Eu³⁺ phosphor in white light emitting diodes were also investigated.