Novel multicolor-tunable Eu3+/Bi3+ co-doped Y2Zr2O7 transparent ceramics as potential white-light-emitting materials

In this study, a multicolor-tunable Eu3+/Bi3+:Y2Zr2O7 transparent ceramic was successfully fabricated using vacuum sintering technology for the first time. The single-phase ceramic showed a pore-free structure and highest transmittance of 67% at 1200 nm. To reveal the luminescence properties of the obtained samples, photoluminescence (PL) tests were performed. Upon combining the green emission (centered at 475 nm) from Bi3+ and the red emission (centered at 629 nm) from Eu3+, bright, white light was observed in both the single-phase Eu3+/Bi3+:Y2Zr2O7 phosphors and transparent ceramics (λex = 302 nm). Furthermore, upon changing the excitation wavelengths, strong red (λex = 250 nm) and orange (λex = 365 nm) emissions were also observed at room temperature. The PL spectra and International Commission on illumination (CIE) coordinate diagram show that white light with CIE (0.3528, 0.3121) can be easily achieved. Combined with their excellent high-temperature performance and good mechanical properties, Eu3+/Bi3+:Y2Zr2O7 transparent ceramics have promising potential as white-light-emitting materials.