Photoluminescence green in microspheres of CaWO4:Tb3+ processed in conventional hydrothermal

Green-phosphor spherical microparticles (2–4 μm in diameter) of CaWO4:Tb3+ (CWO:Tb) exhibiting excellent emission at 545 nm have been synthesized by a conventional hydrothermal process directly without further sintering treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra and decay curve were used to characterize the CWO:Tb phosphors. Because 12 at.% CWO:Tb phosphor shows broad and strong absorption in UV region, exhibits intensive green emission under 254 nm excitation in comparison with the commercial green fluorescent lamp phosphor (LaPO4:Ce,Tb), it is considered to be a new promising phosphor for fluorescent lamps application.