Dy3+ and Eu3+ co-activated gadolinium aluminate borate phosphor: Synthesis, enhanced luminescence, energy transfer and tunable color.

• A series of Dy3+ doped and Eu3+ co-doped GAB phosphors were synthesized. • The phosphor GAB doped with Dy3+ has the optimal luminescence performance. • Direct transfer of energy from Dy3+ to Eu3+ are observed. • The effects of energy transfer on luminescence lifetime of the ions were discussed. • Concentration quenching and cross-relaxation between adjacent RE were discussed. The synthesis of GdAl 3 (BO 3) 4 phosphors incorporated with activators of Dy3+ and Dy3+/ Eu3+was successful and achieved through the gel combustion method. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to identify phase purity and the effects of dopant concentration on the crystallographic structure. The results of Photoluminescence (PL) measurements revealed that the intensity and lifetime of luminescence properties varied depending on the concentrations of Dy3+ and Eu3+ ions. The dependence of luminescence intensity on doping concentration is investigated with respect to the energy transfer process between Eu3+ and Dy3+ ions. A decrease in luminescence lifetime occurs with increasing concentrations of Eu3+ co-doping. The energy transfer was also investigated using decay curve analysis. The co-doping of Eu3+ significantly boosts the energy transfer efficiency from 26% to 84%. These findings make GdAl 3 (BO 3) 4 : Dy3+, Eu3+ phosphors an ideal choice for LED applications in solid state lighting and displays. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]