Novel efficient phosphors on the base of Mg and Zn co-doped SrTiO₃:Pr³⁺

Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ co-doped SrTiO₃:Pr³⁺ (with concentration up to 0.003) red phosphor material compositions were prepared by the solid state synthesis method. Phase and crystallinity of the synthesized materials were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were taken to investigate the luminescence characteristics. The enhanced red luminescence was observed for the doubly doped compositions compared to the host matrix with only Pr³⁺ as an activator. Host to activator energy transfer seems to be responsible for this efficiency enhancement. The mixed composition showed the remarkable improvement in the luminescence properties compared to singly doped SrTiO₃:Pr³. The Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ion doping in the phosphor generates deep traps, which results in slightly longer decay time.