Synthesis and color-controllable luminescence in Dy3+-activated CaWO4 phosphors

Enormous interest in trivalent rare-earth (RE) ions activated luminescent materials has been gaining owing to their promising applications in bio-imaging, solar cells, white light-emitting diodes and field-emission displays. Among these trivalent RE ions, dysprosium (Dy3+) was widely investigated due to its unique photoluminescence (PL) emissions. A series of Dy3+-activated CaWO4 phosphors were prepared by a facile high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction, PL spectra, cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as PL decay curves were used to characterize the prepared samples. Under ultraviolet light excitation, the characteristic emissions of Dy3+ ions were observed in all the obtained phosphors. Furthermore, the PL emission intensity increased gradually with the increment of Dy3+ ion concentration, reaching its maximum value at an optimized Dy3+ ion concentration. Additionally, color-tunable emissions were obtained in Dy3+-activated CaWO4 system by adjusting the Dy3+ ion concentration and excitation wavelength. Ultimately, strong CL properties were observed in Dy3+-activted CaWO4 phosphors. These results suggested that the Dy3+-activted CaWO4 phosphors may have potential applications in the field of miniature color displays.