Fluorescence properties and energy transfer investigation of novel Li₂Al₂B₂O₇:Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphors via combustion synthesis

Abstract

Energy transfer in Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped Li₂Al₂B₂O₇ (LABO) phosphors were synthesized by using the solution combustion method. The phase and photoluminescent properties of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped LABO phosphors were investigated by using the powder X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra. The results show that under the excitation of 357 nm wavelengths, it exhibited blue emission corresponding to the f–d transition of Ce³⁺ ions and green emission bands corresponding to the f–f transition of Tb³⁺ ions, respectively. Overlapping observed between the emission spectrum of Ce³⁺ ion and the excitation spectrum of Tb³⁺ ion due to energy transfer occurred from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ in LABO host. The energy transfer efficiency from Ce³⁺ ion to Tb³⁺ ion was also calculated to be 68 %. Furthermore, thermal analysis, concentration quenching and critical distance of LABO:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphors were also discussed.