Photoluminescence properties of MgY4Si3O13:Gd3+, Tb3+ under vacuum ultraviolet excitation

Gd3+ and Tb3+ co-doped MgY4Si3O13 green phosphors were prepared by a solid-state reaction. The photoluminescence properties in vacuum ultraviolet-visible (VUV-vis) range and decay properties were investigated in details. The f-d transition of Gd3+ ions and spin-allowed f-d transition of Tb3+ ions locate at about 134 nm and 239 nm, respectively. Two charge transfer bands of O2- -> Gd3+ and O2- -> Tb3+ overlap at about 155 nm. Some f-f transition of TIP and Gd3+ ions are confirmed in VUV-vis range. Upon excitation at 172 nm, the optimal composition of MgY3.3Si3O13:0.5Ge(3+), 0.2Tb(3+) phosphor exhibits the characteristic transitions of Gd3+ and Tb3+ with chromaticity coordinate of (0.2849, 0.5843). The phosphor has a shorter decay time (2.13 ms) than that of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ (4.56 ms). The results suggest that this green phosphor is a potential candidate for mercury-free luminescence lamps and plasma display panels (PDPs) application. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.