Fluorescence properties of Tb3+ and Sm3+ activated novel LiAl7B4O17 host via solution combustion synthesis

• New LiAl7B4O17:Tb3+, Sm3+ phosphors were synthesized first time by solution combustion method.
• The LiAl7B4O17:Tb3+ emissions; 489, 544, 586 and 623 nm (λex = 234 nm).
• Also for LiAl7B4O17:Sm3+; 564, 601 and 649 nm (λex = 403 nm).
• Synthesized materials were characterized by powder XRD, FE-SEM.
• Concentration quenching mechanism and critical transfer distance of Tb3+ and Sm3+ in the prepared sample has been investigated.

Novel LiAl7B4O17 (LABO) phosphor activated with trivalent rare earth ions (RE = Tb, Sm) was synthesized by using solution combustion synthesis. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), photoluminescence (PL), critical transfer distance (Rc) and quenching mechanism studies were employed to characterize the samples. Under ultraviolet irradiation of the LiAl7B4O17: Tb3+, Sm3+ phosphors exhibit the typical green (5D4 → 7Fj = 6, 5, 4 and 3) emission band of the Tb3+ ions, as well as an orange-red and red (4G5/2 → 6HJ=5/2, 7/2, 9/2) emission bands of the Sm3+ ions. These results suggest that Tb3+ and Sm3+ activated LABO phosphor could be promising in vision of the necessity for solid state lighting applications.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide