Photoluminescence and electron-vibrational interaction in 4fn−15d states of Ce3+ or Pr3+ ions doped LnBO3 (Ln=Lu, Y, La) orthoborates materials

► Ce3+ and Pr3+-doped calcite, vaterite and aragonite LnBO3 (Ln=Lu, Y, La) orthoborates were successfully prepared by the solid state reaction method. ► The effect of Ce3+ and Pr3+ crystalline environment in orthoborates on the position of their 5d levels has been discussed. ► The main electron-vibrational interaction parameters (EVI), such as the Huang-Rhys factor, effective phonon energy, and zero-phonon line position, were estimated and discussed.