CENTENNIAL HONORS COLLEGE
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2015
Poster Presentation
Synthesis of f-metal Based Phosphors
Emily Thomas
Faculty Mentor: Brian Bellott
Chemistry
Solid state lighting is becoming a viable alternative to traditional incandescent lighting due to factors such
as energy efficiency, longevity, durability and size. Currently, solid state lighting in the form of LEDs is
most often used in small scale applications such as flashlights, backlights for screens and cellphones, and
use in indicators. The energy efficiency associated with LEDs makes them desirable for large scale
application in general lighting. However, because LEDs emit monochromatic light of a color
characteristic of their composite semiconductor, this light must be converted to white light before it can
be used for indoor illumination. Conversion of monochromatic light to white light can be achieved by
coating LEDs with phosphor compounds. Phosphor compounds are typically transition metal compounds
or rare earth compounds. These phosphor compounds convert high energy blue light to lower energy
colors to create white light. The goal of this project is exploratory synthesis of compounds containing
stoichiometric amounts of various rare earth elements (Cerium, Neodymium, Lanthanum), copper, and
selenium. The emission intensity of resultant crystals were characterized using the spectroflurometer in
the department of chemistry.