Role of monovalent co-dopants on the PL emission properties of YAl3(BO3)4:Ce3+ phosphor

The cerium (Ce3+) doped yttrium aluminium borate (YAB) phosphor was synthesized by modified solid state reaction. The phosphor's phase purity and its emission properties were studied using powder X-ray diffraction pattern and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The synthesized YAB had rhomobohedral crystal structure. The phosphor had two different excitation and emission spectra. By 325 nm excitation, the phosphor had emission at 373 nm and with 363 nm excitation; the phosphor gave violet-blue emission at 418 nm. The UV emission of the phosphor originated due to Ce3+ ions at the yttrium site and violet-blue emission owing to Ce3+ ions at non-regular sites viz., Al3+ and interstitial sites. The emission intensity of the phosphor was enhanced when monovalent ions (K+, Na+, and F-) were added as co-dopants. The crucial role of ionic radii of monovalent co-dopants on the emission enhancement of the YAB:Ce3+ phosphor was reported. Thermogravimetric study showed that the YAB possessed high thermal stability at up to 900 degrees C.