Achieving Eu2+ Luminescence at Trivalent Lattice Site in Rb3Y(PO4)2:Eu toward Multicolor Emissions by Carbon and Hydrogen Coreduction

Abstract

AbstractThe advancement of Eu2+‐activated luminescent materials tailored to exhibit a range of properties is crucial for addressing the specific demands of various application fields. However, the lack of suitable lattice sites in numerous compounds for stable Eu2+ incorporation restricts their potential for diverse optical properties. Herein, a facile strategy of carbon and hydrogen coreduction utilizing graphite crucibles is proposed to effectively achieve the impressive luminescence of Eu2+ at trivalent Y sites in Rb3Y(PO4)2:Eu phosphors. Rb3Y(PO4)2:Eu exhibits blue‐violet emission when Eu2+ predominantly occupies the Rb1 and Rb2 sites. Inspiringly, by facilitating the reduction of more Eu3+ to Eu2+, a yellow emission band at 550 nm arising from Eu2+ at Y sites emerges, enabling the realization of single‐component white‐emitting and yellow‐emitting Rb3Y(PO4)2:Eu phosphors. The diverse luminescent properties of Rb3Y(PO4)2:Eu expand its potential applications in different white light source devices and optical thermometry. This work presents an innovative synthetic strategy to develop remarkable Eu2+ luminescence at trivalent cation sites, thereby broadening the optical properties of the material and enabling multifunctional applications.