Enhanced photoluminescence of YBO3:Eu3+ with the incorporation of Sc3+Bi3+ and La3+ for plasma display panel application

The phosphors Y0.95-xMxBO3:0.05Eu(3+) (M = Bi3+, La3+, Sc3+, 0 <= x <= 0.1)were synthesized successfully by solid-state reaction. Their photoluminescence properties were studied under ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet excitation. The band gap absorption of the host lattice at about 160 nm was enhanced by the codoping of Sc3+, Bi3+, La3+ into the YBO3:Eu3+ lattices, as well as the charge transfer excitation band of Eu3+ at about 242 nm. The emission spectra showed that the luminescent intensity of YBO3:Eu3+ was remarkably improved by the incorporation both under 254 and 147 nm excitation. The phenomenon was analyzed, and possible reasons were explained in terms of the sensitization effect of Sc3+ and Bi3+ to Eu3+ or the large difference of the charge to radius ratio between Y3+ and La3+. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.