Luminescence and energy transfer of emission tunable phosphors YBa3B9O18:Ce3+, Tb3+

A series of Y0.96−xTbxCe0.04Ba3B9O18 phosphors with different x value were prepared by a conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction method, and their ultraviolet–visible luminescence properties were systematically investigated. The excitation and emission spectra indicate that these phosphors can be effectively excited by ultraviolet (363 nm), and exhibit tunable emission caused by the efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+. The energy transfer efficiencies of Ce3+ → Tb3+ and chromaticity coordinates for as-prepared phosphors were also calculated. In addition, the energy transfer mechanism between Ce3+ and Tb3+ was proved to be dipole–dipole interaction in YBa3B9O18:Ce3+, Tb3+ phosphors. By utilizing the principle of energy transfer and appropriate tuning of Ce3+/Tb3+ contents, YBa3B9O18:Ce3+, Tb3+ phosphors can have potential application prospect for UV excited white light-emitting diodes.