Structural analysis and vacuum ultraviolet excited luminescence properties of sol–gel derived Y3Al5O12:Eu3+ phosphors

The structural and luminescence characteristics of sol–gel derived Y3Al5O12:Eu3+ (YAG:Eu3+) phosphors were investigated using synchrotron radiation. VUV-excited luminescence studies reveal that two major excitation peaks formed at 178 and 238 nm are responsible for producing the characteristic red emission of Eu3+ ions. The emission characteristics of the sol–gel derived YAG:Eu3+ phosphors depend significantly on the calcination temperature and cationic ratios. The Rietveld refinement analysis and luminescence studies indicate that increasing either the calcination temperature or the aluminum ion content can result in a more symmetrical anionic environment for Eu3+ ions in the YAG host, thereby enhancing the luminescence of the synthesized phosphors. YAG:Eu3+ phosphors with reduced particle sizes and improved emission characteristics were successfully prepared in this study via controlling the calcination temperature and cationic ratios.