Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescence property in Y2ZnGe4O12:Eu3+

Exploring an operative approach to design materials for phosphor-converted light-emitting diode (pc-LED) remains a tough challenge, in which host structure of phosphor plays a decisive role. In this paper, we report the synthesis, structure and property analysis of Y 2 ZnGe 4 O 12 :Eu 3+ . The blue emission (380–500 ​nm) from the host lattice intrinsic defect and the orange-red emission (500–800 ​nm) from Eu 3+ under an ultraviolent excitation was observed in the solid solution. EDX analysis and Rietveld refinement on both XRPD and NPD data indicate the existence of host lattice intrinsic defect of Y 2 ZnGe 4 O 12 ; Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations suggest the oxygen and germanium vacancies induce the blue emission. The structural analysis implies the orange-red emission comes from the enhanced 5 D 0 – 7 F 4 transition of Eu 3+ from an antiprism crystal-field. The exciton distribution mechanism was suggested to explain the light tuning and a mathematical description was given to demonstrate the manipulation of the blue and red lights. This work may inspire further work of new solid-state phosphor designing. A continuously adjustable white-light-emitting phosphor in wide range of correlated color temperature (CCT) was synthesized through careful control of europium doping concentration in Y 2-x Eu x ZnGe 4 O 12 . Blue emission band was found originated form structural-defect-introduced non-bonding orbital, offering insight on designing new defect luminescence materials. • Complete luminescence study on a novel phosphor host lattice system of Y 2 ZnGe 4 O 12 :Eu 3+ . • Host defect luminescence study by structural analysis and DFT calculations. • Abnormal enhanced 5 D 0 – 7 F 4 transition of Eu 3+ from crystal field effect. • Obtainment of a series of cold to warm white lights.