Key role of Nb5+ in achieving water-resistant red emission in K2Ta1-xNbxF7:Mn4+ phosphors

Mn4+-activated fluoride is one of the most important red phosphors for white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) with high color rendering index (CRI). Due to a lack of water resistance, their potential applications are limited. Although surface coating strategies improve the waterproof stability of fluoride red phosphors, they have downsides. It was found that Nb5+ plays an important role in improving the water resistance of Mn4+-activated oxyfluorides by preventing the hydrolysis of [MnF6]2-. In this work, the influence of Nb5+ on the waterproof stability of Mn4+-activated fluorides was explored. A set of synthesized K2Ta1-xNbxF7:Mn4+ phosphors exhibit tunable and superior water resistance. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the representative sample K2Ta0.6Nb0.4F7:5%Mn4+ remains nearly 100% of its initial value even after being immersed in water for 60 min, which is significantly higher than the commercial K2SiF6:Mn4+ red phosphor (8.7%). Our findings open up new possibilities for the development of waterproof fluoride red phosphors.