Utilizing the Energy Transfer of Ce4+– and Ce3+–Tb3+ to Boost the Luminescence Quantum Efficiency up to 100% in Borate Glass

Light-emitting glass shows potential to be used in high-power light-emitting diode (LED) devices because of its homogeneous emission, excellent thermal stability, and simple and low-cost fabrication procedures. The reported quantum efficiencies (QEs) of Ce 3+ -based luminescent glasses do not compete with those of phosphors because of their loose structures. In this study, a series of high-efficiency luminescent strontium borate (SBO) glasses SBO:Ce 3+, Tb 3+ are designed and developed. Our work skillfully takes advantage of the Tb 3+ ion acquiring the transferred energy from nonluminescent Ce 4+ and luminescent center Ce 3+ ions, almost doubling their luminescence QE and achieving an astonishing QE of 100%. Also, their chrominance could be conveniently adjusted from blue to green through the white light region by increasing the amount of Tb 3+ . The optimal SBO:20% Ce 3+, 15% Tb 3+ glass also presents excellent thermal luminescence stability compared to commercial DS-200 phosphor. An assembled SBO-LED shows a bright greenish-white emission at 4 W of power.