Synthesis and luminescent properties of a new phosphor, La2CaB8O16:RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb)

A new borate phosphor, La2CaB8O16:RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb) has been synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The local lattice environment of doping ions in La2CaB8O16 has been determined by use of the room temperature and low temperature fluorescence spectra of Eu3+. The luminescent properties of RE3+-doped La2CaB8O16 have been investigated. The dominant emission of Eu3+ in La2CaB8O16 is located at 616 nm corresponding to the electric dipole transition 5D0–7F2, while the green emission of La2CaB8O16:Tb3+ attributed to the transition 5D4–7F5 is centered at 544 nm. The concentration dependence of the emission intensity shows that the optimum doping concentrations of Eu3+ and Tb3+ are 30 mol% and 15 mol%, respectively.

► A new borate phosphor, La2CaB8O16:RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb) has been synthesized by solid-state reaction method.
► La2CaB8O16:Eu3+ can be efficiently excited by 394 nm and emits bright red light at about 616 nm (5D0–7F2).
► La2CaB8O16:Tb3+ can emit bright green light at about 544 nm (5D0–7F2) under 229 nm excitation.
► Eu3+ ions occupy both La3+ and Ca2+ sites in La2CaB8O16.
► The optimum concentrations of Eu3+ and Tb3+ in La2CaB8O16 are 30 mol% and 15 mol%, respectively.