Enhancement of green emission for Al3+-doped YBO3:Tb3+

High-quality Y1−x−yAlxTbyBO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, 0.04 ≤ y ≤ 0.16) phosphor powders with fine size, spherical and regular morphology, and non-agglomeration were successfully prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The blue emission from the 5D3→7FJ (J = 4, 5, and 6) transition for the Y0.94−xAlxTb0.06BO3 phosphor was quenched. The optimal concentration of Tb3+ was reduced by doping Al3+ into the Y1−yTbyBO3 phosphor, i.e., y = 0.1 and 0.12 for Y0.975−yAl0.025TbyBO3 and Y1−yTbyBO3, respectively. The Al3+ doping was highly effective for improving the photoluminescence characteristics. The photoluminescence emission intensity of the Al3+-doped Y0.915Al0.025Tb0.06BO3 phosphor at 543 nm was about three times stronger than that of the Al3+-free Y0.94Tb0.06BO3 phosphor.

► High-quality Y1−x−yAlxTbyBO3 phosphors are successfully prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis.
► The optimal concentration of Tb3+ is lowered by doping Al3+ into the Y1−yTbyBO3.
► The doped Al3+ is desirable for increasing emission intensity and decreasing Tb3+ concentration.