The luminescence properties of Na2(Y1−xEux)2B2O7 and Y1−xEuxCa3(AlO)3(BO3)4 under VUV excitation

The new borate phosphors Na2Y2B2O7:Eu3+ and YCa3(AlO)3(BO3)4:Eu3+ were synthesized and their luminescence properties were investigated under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation. Under VUV excitation, strong orange emission of 5D0 → 7F1 at 592 nm was observed in the emission spectrum of Na2Y2B2O7:Eu3+ and the best concentration for Eu3+ was 10%. While strong red emission of 5D0 → 7F2 transitions at 621 nm was observed for YCa3(AlO)3(BO3)4:Eu3+ and the most intense emission obtained at the concentration of 8%. The broad bands at 210–230 nm in their excitation spectra were attributed to the charge transfer band of Eu3+, and the two bands at 150–170 nm were assigned to the absorption of the host lattice. With the incorporation of Gd3+, the luminescence intensity of Eu3+ was improved greatly in both of the two host materials.