Photoluminescence Properties of YAl3(BO3)4:RE3+ (RE=Ce/Dy/Tb) Phosphors

Abstract

YAl3(BO3)4 doped with three rare earth (RE) ions namely Ce3 +, Dy3+ and Tb3+ were prepared by the conventional solid state diffusion method. The phosphors were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. PL spectra of Ce-doped samples showed the Ce3+ emission characteristic due to the 5d-4f transition. Dy-doped sample upon excitation at 351 nm, showed peaks corresponding to the 4F9/2→6H15/2 and 4F9/2→6H13/2 transitions. PL spectra of Tb-doped sample showed peaks corresponding to the 5D3→7FJ transition. Upon excitation at 364 nm, the enhanced luminescence observed in Ce3+ co-doped YAl3(BO3)4:Tb3+/Dy3+ phosphors is understood as due to energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+/Dy3. The color purity has also been verified by using the chromaticity diagram.