Luminescence property and emission enhancement of YbAlO3:Mn4+ red phosphor by Mg2+ or Li+ ions

YbAlO 3 :Mn 4+ , YbAlO 3 :Mn 4+ , Li + , and YbAlO 3 :Mn 4+ , Mg 2+ phosphors are synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction method in air. Their crystal structures and luminescence properties are investigated. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectrum monitored at 677   nm contains broad PLE band with three PLE peaks located at ∼318, 395, and 470   nm within the range 220–600   nm. Emission spectra with excitation 318 and 470   nm exhibit three emission band peaks located at ∼645, 677, and 700   nm in the range of 610–800   nm and their corresponding chromaticity coordinates are about ( x   =   0.6942, y   =   0.3057). The possible luminous mechanism of Mn 4+ ion is analyzed by the simple energy level diagram of Mn 4+ ion. The optimum Mn 4+ -doped concentration in YbAlO 3 :Mn 4+ phosphor is about 0.4   mol% and the luminescence lifetime of YbAlO 3 :0.4%Mn 4+ phosphor is ∼0.59   ms. Emission intensity of YbAlO 3 :0.4%Mn 4+ phosphor can be enhanced ∼6 times after Mg 2+ ion is co-doped and it is ∼2 times when Li + ion is co-doped. The content in the paper is useful to research new Mn 4+ -doped luminescence materials and improve luminescence property of other Mn 4+ -doped phosphors.