A study on the luminescence properties of CaAlBO(4): RE(3+) (RE=Ce, Tb, and Eu) phosphors

Abstract

A series of new phosphors of CaAlBO(4):RE(3+) (RE=Ce, Tb, Eu) were synthesized by conventional solid-state reactions. The X-ray diffraction data indicate that a pure phase of CaAlBO(4):RE(3+) can be successfully obtained. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra, quantum efficiency, and CIE coordinates of CaAlBO(4):RE(3+) were investigated. The PL and PL excitation spectra indicate that the emission wavelengths of CaAlBO(4):Ce(3+) are 372 and 398 nm (with full width at half maximum of 33 nm) attributed to the 4f(6)5d-4f(7) transition of the Ce(3+) activator, respectively. CaAlBO(4):Tb(3+) displays green emission at 483, 543, 584, and 620 nm, while CaAlBO(4):Eu(3+) shows a dominating emission peak at 621 nm, which is attributed to the Eu(3+) (5)D(0)-(7)F(2) transition. The quantum efficiencies of optimized CaAlBO(4):Ce(3+), CaAlBO(4):Tb(3+), and CaAlBO(4):Eu(3+) were found to be 43, 21, and 19%, respectively. The phosphors may provide a new kind of luminescent material under UV excitation. (C) 2008 The Electrochemical Society.