Luminescence and color center distributions in K3YB6O12:Ce3+ phosphor

Polycrystalline Ce3+-doped K3YB6O12 (1-14 mol%) phosphors were prepared by facile chemical sol-gel synthesis. The phase formation of the phosphors was confirmed by x-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. The photoluminescence excitation spectra (PLE), emission spectra (PL) and the luminescence decay curves were tested. Under the near-UV light, the phosphors present the emission from blue color to yellowish green due to the allowed 4f -5d transitions of Ce3+ ions. The absolute quantum efficiency (QE) of K3YB6O12:Ce3+ can reach 53% under the excitation of near-UV light. The luminescence thermal quenching of the phosphor was investigated by the temperature-dependent spectra. The crystallographic site of Ce3+ ions in the lattice was identified and discussed on the basis of luminescence characteristics and structural data. There is only one isolated Ce3+ center occupying the Y(II) sites in the lightly doped samples presenting a typical doublet emission profile. While the Ce3+ multi-centers could be created with the enhancement of the doping levels, which could induce the distinct red-shift of the spectra due to the dipole-dipole interactions. The result in this work could be useful for the further investigation of other rare earth ions in this host.