Preparation of red phosphor (Y, Gd)BO3:Eu by soft chemistry methods

The three soft chemistry methods were employed to prepare the red phosphor (Y, Gd)BO3:Eu, such as coprecipitation–combustion method, salt assisted combustion method and emulsion method. The main factors affecting particle size, particle distribution and luminescent properties of the product were investigated in detail, and as a result, the preparation processes were optimized. The phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), transmission electronic microscope (TEM) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectra. Results reveal that phosphors with different morphology, small particle size and high luminescence intensity could be obtained by soft chemistry methods. The difference between the luminescence properties of phosphors in this work and commercial rare earth borate phosphor is discussed. The phosphor with grain shape and high luminescence intensity could be prepared by coprecipitation–combustion method, nanophosphor could be prepared by salt assisted combustion method, and spherical phosphor with a narrow size distribution could be obtained by using emulsion method.