Efficient broadband reddish-orange emitting Mg2Y2.5Al1.5Si2O12:Ce3+ garnet phosphor opens up new avenues for multifunctional optical applications

Developing a high-efficiency broadband red phosphor is crucial to improve the color quality and physiological comfort of traditional white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs), which suffer from low color rendering index (CRI < 75) due to severe red emission deficiency. Herein, we report a series of efficient Mg₂Y_2.5-xAl_1.5Si₂O₁₂:xCe³⁺ (MYASO:xCe³⁺) garnet-type phosphors with broadband reddish-orange emission (λ_em = 611 nm; full width at half-maximum, FWHM = 129 nm). The crystal structure, electronic structure, band structure, and photoluminescence properties were systematically investigated. The as-obtained phosphors display a broad absorption band centered at 473 nm, which can be effectively excited by blue LED chips. Furthermore, the representative MYASO:0.06Ce³⁺ exhibits high internal quantum efficiency (IQE = 53%) and excellent chemical stability, with emission intensity maintaining nearly unchanged after 180-day exposure to ambient conditions. To evaluate its practical application, a high-performance prototype WLED was fabricated by combining the commercial (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ green phosphor and the as-synthesized MYASO:0.06Ce³⁺ reddish-orange phosphor with a 460 nm blue LED chip. The resulting device emitted full-spectrum warm white light with high CRI (87) and a relatively low correlated color temperature (CCT = 4583 K). Beyond solid-state lighting, this novel MYASO:Ce³⁺ phosphor reported here also demonstrates strong potential for optical anti-counterfeiting and fingerprint identification applications.