Enhanced visible to near infrared downshifting in Ce{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+}-co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet through Pr{sup 3+} doping
Graphical abstract: In order to achieve improved near infrared downshifting, we have investigated the effect of Pr{sup 3+} doping on the energy transfer efficiency from Ce{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} in the YAG host. - Highlights: • Synthesis and characterization of tri-doped Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} (YAG). • Efficient energy transfer in YAG:Ce{sup 3+}, Pr{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+}. • Discussion of mechanism of energy transfer in tri-doped host. • Potential application in c-Si solar cell. - Abstract: Novel YAG:Ce{sup 3+}, Pr{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+} phosphors were synthesized using a high temperature solid state reaction method. The XRD patterns revealed that the obtained samples belong to the single phase YAG. The optical spectra demonstrated that Pr{sup 3+} could be a bridge to facilitate the energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} in the YAG host. Blue light excited Ce{sup 3+} and a yellow emission from Ce{sup 3+} together with a near infrared emission of Yb{sup 3+} was obtained. The effect of Pr{sup 3+} doping on the energy transfer efficiency was explored. When the doping concentration of Pr{sup 3+} increased, the yellow emission intensities of Ce{sup 3+} decreased and the near infrared emission intensity of Yb{sup 3+} increased monotonously. Hence, the efficiency of energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} is enhanced by the addition of Pr{sup 3+}, implying that the YAG:Ce{sup 3+}, Pr{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+} phosphors are promising downshifting materials and have the potential to be used in Si-based solar cells.