Bluish-White Emission from Lanthanide Free Self-Activator Vanadate Phosphors: Structural and Optical Characterization of LiCa3CdV3O12

Abstract

Significant emphasis has been placed on research concerning cost-effective and lanthanide free vanadate phosphors, which exhibit minimal optical absorption due to the luminescence colour being readily adjustable through their high compositional flexibility. Nevertheless, phosphors exhibiting bluish emission with high quantum efficiency have yet to be discovered. This study effectively identified bluish-white emitting, garnet structure-based LiCa3CdV3O12 phosphors exhibiting high quantum efficiency, with the crystal structure meticulously optimized using the Rietveld analysis approach. The material was synthesized by high temperature SSR method at 950o C for 6 hours. These phosphors demonstrate a broad-band emission spectrum peak at 465 nm when excited by near UV light at 327 nm, revealing no significant distinction between the emission and excitation spectra. A highly compact tetrahedral [VO43-] unit is present in the LiCa3CdV3O12 phosphors, which is absent in other traditional garnet compounds, and produces a bluish-white emission. Furthermore, the sample demonstrate surface studies and EDX for determination of grain size and compositional studies respectively. The materials examined with CIE chromaticity to conform the emission region. The prepared materials are applicable in various blue coloured lighting devices.