LED light bulbs have low energy consumption, the ability to be switched on and off promptly, and a long lifespan. The bulb works through an LED chip that turns electrical current into high-energy light. These lights include UV (Ultraviolet), blue, or violet wavelength. Due to the inherent benefits provided by LED appliances, many consumers have shifted towards light-emitting diode (LED) from incandescent lights. However, the models available at present all emit a considerable amount of blue light, leading to eye troubles and sleep disturbances among users.
To overcome this challenge, a research team has constructed a prototype of LED that reduces the blue component in the bulb instead of simply masking it. Taking the advancement a step further also helps make the color appear exactly as they do in natural light. This is a great progress for LED Market as the product minimizes the undesired blue wavelengths, unlike the commercial LED bulbs, and instead produces the warm white light, which is much better for the human eye.
Commercial LED bulbs utilize yellow-emitting phosphors and blue LEDs, which emerge as a cold, bright white light akin to the daylight. Unfortunately, continuous exposure to these blue-tinted lights has been correlated with cataract formation. Thus, exposure to such lights, especially in the evenings, can disrupt the production of sleep-induced hormones like melatonin, resulting in fatigue and insomnia.
Previously, to create a warmer white LED bulb for the night period, researchers had already added red-emitting phosphors. However, this action was only able to mask the blue hue but not get rid of it. Hence, the team wanted to work towards developing a phosphor that would produce warn white light and simultaneously be able to avoid the problematic wavelength range.
Researchers identified and synthesized a next-generation luminescent crystalline phosphor europium to prove their innovation ((Na1.92Eu0.04) MgPO4F). While performing thermal stability tests on the prototype, it was revealed that the phosphor’s emission color was steady between room temperature and the higher operating temperature (301 F) of commercial LED-based lighting. Similarly, in long-term moisture experiments, the compound illustrated no change in the intensity or color of the light produced.
The team also conducted a study to see how the material would perform in a light bulb. The team fabricated a prototype with a violet–light LED surrounded with a silicone cap consisting of a luminescent blue compound mixed with green-emitting and red-emitting phosphors. Results showed that the prototype successfully produced the desired bright warm white light. In addition, the optical properties of the prototype emitted that the color of objects and natural light fulfilling the requirement of indoor lightening.