Synthesis, vacuum ultraviolet and near ultraviolet-excited luminescent properties of GdCaAl3O7: RE3+ (RE=Eu, Tb)

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and photoluminescent (PL) properties of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ion-doped aluminate phosphors, GdCaAl3O7:Eu3+ and GdCaAl3O7:Tb3+ have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the phosphor GdCaAl3O7 forms without impurity phase at 900 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the particle size of the phosphor is less than 3 μm. Upon excitation with VUV irradiation, the phosphors show a strong emission at around 619 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+, and at around 545 nm corresponding to the 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb3+. The results reveal that both GdCaAl3O7:RE3+ (RE=Eu, Tb) are potential candidates as red and green phosphors, respectively, for use in plasma display panel (PDP).

Graphical AbstractEmission spectrum of samples excited at the wavelength of 172 nm and prepared by the sol–gel method calcined at 1400 °C for 5 h (a) GdCaAl3O7: 16 mol %Eu3+ and (b) GdCaAl3O7: 14 mol %Tb3+.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide