Optimization of near-infrared luminescence performance in Cr3+-doped double perovskite Sr2ScTaO6 phosphor by Nb5+ ion substitution

Here, Nb5+ were partially substituted for Ta5+ in the double perovskite Sr2ScTaO6: Cr3+ phosphor to improve its luminescence performance and finally obtained the optimized phosphor Sr2ScTa0.6Nb0.4O6: Cr3+. The structure, substitution mechanism, luminescence optimization mechanism, crystal field, and thermal stability of the phosphor were all thoroughly explored. The results indicate that introducing Nb5+ into Sr2ScTaO6: Cr3+ can cause lattice distortion in the host, and the distorted crystal lattice can break the forbidden transition of Cr3+, thereby enhancing its absorption of excitation light. At the same time, the full width at half maximum of the phosphor emission increased from 176.4 nm to 179.7 nm. And the internal quantum efficiency, absorption efficiency, and external quantum efficiency of the optimized Sr2ScTa0.6Nb0.4O6: Cr3+ phosphor can reach 86.3%, 49% and 42.3%, respectively. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of the optimized pc-LED increased from 5.63% to 7.80%@100 mA, indicating the introduction of Nb5+ in Sr2ScTaO6: Cr3+ improved the luminescence performance of phosphor. The above results provide directions for the development of more efficient and promising double-perovskite NIR phosphors.