Red emission in B3+- and Li+-doped SrAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphor under UV excitation

Samples of SrAl2O4:Eu3+ doped with B3+ and SrAl2O4:Eu3+ co-doped with B3+ and Li+ have been prepared by the solid-reaction method. The influence of B3+ and Li+ contents on luminescence property has been investigated. It is found that the substitution of B3+ for Al3+ greatly improves red emission intensity at 591, 615 and 701 nm. The dopant Li+ as charge compensator in SrAl2O4:Eu3+, B3+ can further enhance luminescence intensity. The strongest red emission is obtained in the Sr(Al1.9, B0.1)O4:Eu0.023+, Li+0.02 sample. The developed phosphors can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet (UV) light from 350 to 480 nm, which indicates that B3+ and Li+ co-doped SrAl2O4:Eu3+ is a good candidate phosphor applied in solid-state lighting in conjunction with white UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs).