Photoluminescence characteristics of Ca9Ln(PO4) 7:Tb3+(Ln3+=Y3+, La3+, Gd3+) under VUV excitation

Abstract

The photoluminescence properties of a series of phosphors Ca9 Ln1-x (P O4)7:xTb3+(Ln3+=Y 3+, La3+, Gd3+) (0.003≤x≤1) under the excitation of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light were investigated. The results indicate that the phosphors show tunable emitting colors depending on the concentrations of Tb3+. Among them, the samples Ca9Ln0.4 (PO4)7:0.6 Tb3+(Ln3+=Y3+, La3+, Gd3+) exhibit strong green light emissions and a shorter luminescence decay time (τ1/e ∼2.5 ms) than those of commercial green phosphor Zn2Si O4: Mn2+ (τ1/e>5 ms), revealing that they can be potentially applicable as green phosphors for plasma display panels and Hg-free fluorescence lamps. © 2010 The Electrochemical Society.