Li-doping effect on the photoluminescence behaviors of Eu-doped Y2−xGdxO3 ceramic phosphors

Y2−xGdxO3:Eu3+ and Li-doped Y2−xGdxO3:Eu3+ ceramics were synthesized by using a solid state reaction method. The crystallinity and photoluminescence of ceramics were highly dependent on Li-doping and the amount of Gd content. The mixed crystalline phase of Y2O3 and Gd2O3 was observed at Y2−xGdxO3:Eu3+ ceramics, but the Gd-substituted Y2O3 phase becomes more dominant at Li-doped Y2−xGdxO3:Eu3+ ceramics. Comparing to Y2−xGdxO3:Eu3+ powders, the intensity of the peak at 611 nm for the Li-doped Y2−xGdxO3:Eu3+ powders was increased by a factor of 1.85 and 1.44 at 14 and 300 K, respectively. The Li+-doping effectively enhanced not only the crystallinity but also the luminescent brightness of Y2−xGdxO3:Eu3+ ceramics.