The effect of simultaneous addition of Gd and Al on the photoluminescence characteristics of (Y0.94−x−yAlxGdyEu0.06)BO3 phosphors

The (Y_0.94−x−yAl_xGd_yEu_0.06)BO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04 and 0 ≤ y ≤0.4) phosphors were single-phase with a hexagonal vaterite crystal structure. The (Y_0.94−x−yAl_xGd_yEu_0.06)BO₃ phosphor powders showed smooth, regular, and spherical morphology. The emission intensity of the Al- and Gd-co-doped (Y_0.74−xAl_xGd_0.2Eu_0.06)BO₃ and (Y_0.925−yAl_0.015Gd_yEu_0.06)BO₃ phosphors was much higher than that of Al-free (Y_0.74Gd_0.2Eu_0.06)BO₃ and Gd-free (Y_0.925Al_0.015Eu_0.06)BO₃ phosphors, respectively. This means that the simultaneous addition of Gd and Al to yttrium borates was desirable for improving their photoluminescent properties.