Synthesis and optical properties of novel red phosphors YNbTiO6:Eu3+ with highly enhanced brightness by Li+ doping

Highly luminescent euxenite phased YNbTiO6:Eu3+ and Li+-doped YNbTiO6:Eu3+ red phosphors have been prepared through a facile sol–gel combustion process and investigated for the first time. The introduction of Li+ ions into YNbTiO6:Eu3+ is able to result in significant changes of the crystallinity and particle size, and bring a clear red-shift of absorption edge. A dominant red emission peak at 611 nm due to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+ was observed from photoluminescence spectra of the YNbTiO6:Eu3+ and Li+-doped YNbTiO6:Eu3+ phosphors. In particular, the emission intensity of the optimal Li+-doped YNbTiO6:Eu3+ was examined to be close to 400% of commercial Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor. The mechanism of the enhanced emission by Li+ doping was discussed.

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