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University of Cambridge

Novel phosphors for solid state lighting

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Solid state white light emitting diode lighting devices outperform conventional light sources in terms of lifetime, durability, and lumens per watt. However, the capital contribution is still to high to encourage widespread adoption. Furthermore, the colour from today's devices is unsuitable for general room illumination and thus new phosphor materials are needed. This dissertation will examine the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles and the possibility of using hybrid inorganic-organic frameworks in the search for new lighting phosphors. Nanoparticles of the oxide compound yttrium aluminium garnet were synthesized using an emulsion technique, though it was found that the high temperature processing needed for good optical properties was not compatible with maintaining nanosized particles. In terms of hybrid framework phosphors, several aspects of this new area have been explored. The mechanical and optical properties of a dense cerium oxalate formate hybrid framework compound have been investigated. Its strength was found to be nearly as great as some classical ceramic compounds, and clearly robust enough for device applications. While the photoluminescence of the cerium oxalate formate was not suitable for solid state lighting, the impressive mechanical properties evaluated are expected to be valid for a wide range of dense inorganic-organic frameworks. A novel approach to solid state lighting phosphors was introduced by using ligand-based photoluminescence in hybrid frameworks. Novel frameworks were prepared using 9,10-anthraquinone-2,3-dicarboxylic acid in combination with calcium, manganese, nickel, and zinc. These compounds show excellent photoluminescent emission for use in solid state lighting applications, although the luminescence is quenched at room temperature due to dynamic effects. The excitation, while reaching the blue part of the spectrum, falls just short of what is needed for use today's devices. To address these issues, a second class of novel framework compounds was prepared using 9-fluorenone-2,7-dicarboxylic acid in combination with calcium, strontium, barium, cadmium, and manganese. They are more rigid structures and show good luminescence at room temperature with a photoluminescent excitation spectrum extending further into the blue than the anthraquinones. Additionally, quantum yield in the calcium fluorenone is nearly double that of its parent ligand, suggesting that there is an enhancement in luminescent properties as a result its inclusion in a framework structure. An explanation for the differences in efficiency between seemingly similar compounds are drawn from their compositions, crystal structures, photoluminescence, and specific heat properties. Finally, some structural and chemical targets for future hybrid phosphor development are identified based on the relationships identified in this work.

Degree

thesis:*
Name dc:type.qualificationname
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
Grantor dc:publisher.institution
University of Cambridge
Year dc:date.issued
2010

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Furman, Joshua D

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
DOI dc:identifier.doi
https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.14261
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/228686

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Cambridge University
Base URL
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Last updated
2026-07-22
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citation

Furman, Joshua D. Novel phosphors for solid state lighting. Doctoral thesis, University of Cambridge, 2010. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.14261