Colloidal chemical synthesis, structural and luminescent properties of YAl3(BO3)4:Ce3+ phosphors

Crystalline phosphors made of yttrium aluminum borates YAl3(BO3)4 doped with cerium have been synthesized by colloidal chemical approach involving co-precipitation of precursors from aqueous solutions of the corresponding salts in the presence of boric acid that is followed by heat treatment. Structural phase transitions occurring during the synthesis of YAl3(BO3)4:Ce3+ were studied using thermal analysis methods (TG, DTA, and DSC). The crystalline structure and luminescent properties of the synthesized compounds were investigated by the means of X-ray powder diffraction and optical spectroscopy. The decrease in the luminescence intensity and increased splitting of the main term of Ce3+ ions of YAl3(BO3)4:Ce3+ were observed at a higher concentration of the ion-activator of 10 % wt. This observation was attributed to the alteration of the structure of optical centers due to the partial oxidation of Ce3+ ions into the Ce4+ state.