VUV photoluminescence characteristics of (Y,Gd)VO4:Eu,Zn phosphors produced by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

High-quality (Y,Gd)VO4:Eu,Zn phosphors were synthesized by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method using an organic additive of ethylene glycol:citric acid = 0.5:0.5. The annealed (Y,Gd)VO4:Eu,Zn phosphors crystallized in the tetragonal zircon type structure (a = b = 7.143 Å and c = 6.310 Å). The emission of the electric dipole 5D0 → 7F2 transition (615 and 619 nm) for the phosphors was stronger than that of the magnetic 5D0 → 7F1 transition (594 nm), indicating high-purity red color emission. The addition of a small amount of Zn and high annealing temperature (1150 °C) resulted in improved photoluminescence properties. We demonstrate that the new (Y,Gd)VO4:Eu,Zn can be prospectively utilized as red phosphor for plasma display panels.