A red phosphor for nUV LED based on (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu3+

(Y,Gd)BO3:Eu3+ based phosphors were prepared by combustion technique followed by solid state sintering in air. The 4f-4f excitation at 394 nm of (Y0.54Gd0.46)x (BO3)y:Eu3+ exhibits red emission at 593 nm. Its photoluminescence (PL) efficiency depends critically on the BO3 to (Y,Gd) molar ratio. Optimal luminescence was obtained at the y/x molar ratio of 1.38. A 12-fold increase in its luminescence efficiency was seen with an increase in Eu concentration from 0.5 to 8.4 mol% at this y/x ratio. At 8.4 mol% of Eu concentration, the PL sensitivity of (Y0.54Gd0.46)x (BO3)y:Eu3+ is 40% higher than that of the commercial (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu3+ phosphor. In view of the high luminescence efficiency, this phosphor could serve as a potential candidate for application as a red phosphor for nUV LED apart from its known application in plasma display panels.