Ultraviolet B emitting Gd doped Al2O3 phosphor - A photoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance study

Al2O3:Gd3+ phosphor was prepared using single step urea combustion method. The prepared phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. The formation of the combustion products was confirmed by the XRD analysis. PL studies showed that the Al2O3:Gd3+ phosphor could be excited at 273/276 nm, while an ultraviolet (UV) emission centered at ∼ 314/317 nm was exhibited. The EPR spectrum of sample exhibited resonance signals due to Gd3+ ion at low symmetry sites in the host lattice. Both PL as well as EPR studies of the sample confirmed the presence of Gd3+ in the Al2O3 matrix.