Luminescence and energy transfer of the color-tunable phosphor Li6Gd(BO3)3:Tb3+/Bi3+, Eu3+

Bi3+/Tb3+, Eu3+ co-doped Li6Gd(BO3)(3) (LGBO) phosphors were synthesized via a traditional solid-state method. Phase purity was investigated using X-ray diffraction, absorption strength of the phosphors were investigated by UV-vis absorption spectra, and the photoluminescence properties of the phosphors were studied systematically. Results showed that the emission intensity of Bi3+, Eu3+ co-doped LBOG was 2.76 times higher than that of Eu3+-doped LGBO irradiated at 275 nm, thereby implying the possibility of energy transfer from Bi3+ to Eu3+. The excitation spectra of Tb3+, Eu3+ co-doped LGBO phosphors are broader in comparison with single-doped phosphors and show tunable colors from green to yellow to orange-red when the ratio of Tb3+ to Eu3+ is adjusted These results demonstrate that LGBO:Tb3+, Eu3+ phosphors have potential use in light-emitting diodes. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.