Site and local structure of activator Eu{sup 2+} in phosphor Ca{sub 10−x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}Cl{sub 2}:xEu{sup 2+}
The site and local structure of activator Eu{sup 2+} in phosphor Ca{sub 10−x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}Cl{sub 2}:xEu{sup 2+} is investigated by experiment measurements, first-principle calculations and XAFS simulations. From first-principle calculations, the “local” structure [bond length L(M–O)≤R(M{sup 2+})+R(O{sup 2−})] of host shows a significant deformation (expansion) when Ca{sup 2+} is substituted by Eu{sup 2+}, and Eu{sup 2+} should prefer 6h site to 4f site in the host. The d→f emission of Eu{sup 2+} at 4f site should show a longer wavelength than that of Eu{sup 2+} at 6h site. The XAFS measurement and simulations suggest that the Eu{sup 2+} in our Ca{sub 9.9}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}Cl{sub 2}:0.1Eu{sup 2+} sample mainly locates at 6h site. In the emission spectrum, two emission profiles of Ca{sub 9.9}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}Cl{sub 2}:0.1Eu{sup 2+} sample are obtained and assigned. The major one (2.71 eV≈456 nm) should be the emission of Eu{sup 2+} at 6h site. The minor one (2.61 eV≈465 nm) should be that of Eu{sup 2+} at 4f site. - Graphical abstract: The d→f emission of Eu{sup 2+} in Ca{sub 9.9}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}Cl{sub 2}:0.1Eu{sup 2+} can be assigned as: emission profile at 2.71 eV and 2.61 eV are Eu{sup 2+} at 6h and 4f site, respectively. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Eu{sup 2+} in Ca{sub 10−x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}Cl{sub 2}:xEu{sup 2+} causes deformation to “local” structure. • Eu{sup 2+} should prefer 6h site to 4f site in the host from energy aspect. • Emission at 2.71 eV and 2.61 eV should be Eu{sup 2+} at 6h and 4f site.