Enhanced Photoluminescence and Energy Transfer Performance of Y3Al4GaO12:Mn4+,Dy3+ Phosphors for Plant Growth LED Lights

Plant growth LEDs have attracted broad attention in modern society, desperate for specific phosphors with a characteristic emission band. A novel Mn4+ and Dy3+ co-doped Y3Al4GaO12 phosphor were successfully prepared through a conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. A three band emission including red (625–700 nm), orange (550–607 nm) and blue (462–490 nm) is observed in these phosphors when excited under a near-UV lamp, which is ascribed to 2E → 4A2 of Mn4+, 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 of Dy3+, respectively. The three emissions match the absorption spectra of chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B well. Meanwhile, the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Mn4+ was confirmed by the luminescence spectra and lifetime analysis. Finally, an LED device was fabricated that consisted of a 365 nm ultraviolet chip and the Y3Al4GaO12:Mn4+,Dy3+ phosphor. The excellent properties indicate that the synthesized phosphor has a promising application in the optical agricultural industry.