Sol–gel synthesis and photoluminescence of RE3BO6: Eu3+/Tb3+ (RE = Y, Gd) microcrystalline phosphors from hybrid precursors

Novel phosphors of Eu3+/Tb3+ doped RE3BO6 (RE = Y, Gd) have been prepared using an original modified in situ sol–gel synthesis route. Different optimized organic media were mixed with rare earth coordination polymers, and tri-n-butyl borate was added to assemble inorganic/organic multi-component hybrid precursors. After calcinations of the resulting precursors at 1000 °C, target phosphors were obtained. The microstructure and morphology information of the phosphors were investigated via the technique of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy, and it has been shown that these phosphors present symmetrical distribution and high packing density, whose grain sizes were around 200 nm. Analyzed by luminescent spectra, these phosphor particles show narrow lines of emissions respectively originating from their characteristic transitions, and the dominating emission peak is due to the hypersensitive transition. The RE3BO6: Eu3+/Tb3+ (RE = Y, Gd) phosphors can be expected to gain more practical applications in commercial phosphors and other luminescent materials used in advanced devices.