Energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+, Dy3+ and Eu3+ in Na3Y(BO3)2

Energy transfer is a promising strategy to improve the visible light emitting efficiency of phosphors. A series of Ce3+, Tb3+, Dy3+ and/or Eu3+ doped Na3Y(BO3)2 (NYB) were prepared by solid-state reaction and their photoluminescence properties were studied in detail. The excitation and emission spectra of NYB:Ce3+,Tb3+ and NYB:Ce3+,Dy3+ revealed that an efficient energy transfer process from Ce3+ to Tb3+ or Dy3+ occurred upon excitation Ce3+ into 5d level. The dependence of the decay times of Ce3+ 5d level on Tb3+ or Dy3+ concentration indicated that the energy transfer efficiency increased with increasing Tb3+ or Dy3+ content. So the UV excitation light could be converted into green or near-white emission. However, there was no obvious evidence of the existence of energy transfer from Ce3+ to Eu3+ in NYB.

Graphical AbstractDecay curves of Ce3+ 5d level in NYB:3.0%Ce3+, x% Dy3+ excited at 373 nm (the inset shows the dependence of the lifetime and energy transfer efficiency on the concentration of Dy3+)Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide