Synthesis and luminescent properties of a novel deep-red phosphor Sr2GdNbO6:Mn4+ for indoor plant growth lighting

Abstract A series of novel and efficient Sr2GdNbO6 (SGNO):Mn4+ red phosphors were synthesized by traditional high-temperature solid-state method. The composition, morphology, luminescent properties and thermal quenching mechanism of the materials were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission electron scanning microscopy (FE-SEM), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance (UV–vis DR) spectroscopy and fluorophotometer. The phosphors can be excited by 300–500 nm light and emit a deep-red light. The characteristic emission band peaked at 687 nm corresponds to the spin-forbidden transition of Mn4+. The temperature-dependent on photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra from 298 K to 498 K manifest that SGNO:Mn4+ phosphor has an activation energy of 0.412 eV, which confirms the excellent thermal stability of the phosphor. Moreover, the IQE value of SGNO:Mn4+ phosphor is 36.37%. The above results illustrated that SGNO:Mn4+ phosphors are expected to make a contribution to indoor plant cultivation.