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

Bi 3+ /Tb 3+ , Eu 3+ co-doped Li 6 Gd(BO 3 ) 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 Bi 3+ , Eu 3+ co-doped LBOG was 2.76 times higher than that of Eu 3+ -doped LGBO irradiated at 275   nm, thereby implying the possibility of energy transfer from Bi 3+ to Eu 3+ . The excitation spectra of Tb 3+ , Eu 3+ 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 Tb 3+ to Eu 3+ is adjusted These results demonstrate that LGBO:Tb 3+ , Eu 3+ phosphors have potential use in light-emitting diodes.