Synthesis and characterization of Tb3+ activated La0.6Y0.4PO4 phosphor

The present paper reports, synthesis and photo luminescence (PL) studies of the Tb3+ (0.5%) doped La0.6Y0.4PO4 phosphor under different excitations. The samples were prepared by solid state diffusion reaction method, which is the suitable method for large scale production. The received phosphor samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, PL, FTIR CIE techniques and particle size distribution. The PL emission mainly concentrates around 544 nm when excited with 254 nm, 267 nm, 305 nm wavelengths. Good PL emission intensity was observed when exited with 267 nm. For La0.6Y0.4PO4: Tb3+ (0.5%) the ion radius distinction between La3+ and Y3+ is so large so it shows the pure monoclinic phase. From the XRD data, using the Scherer's formula, the calculated average crystallite size of La0.6Y0.4PO4: Tb3+ (0.5%) is around 45 nm and particle size is 4.2 μm. The present phosphor can act as a single host for green light emission which is used in X-Ray monitoring, imaging, scintillators and bio-medical imaging applications.