Structure, luminescence properties and energy transfer of Tb 3+ –Eu 3+ codoped LiBaB 9 O 15 phosphors

A series of single-composition phosphors LiBaB9O15:Tb(3+),Eu(3+) have been prepared via a high-temperature solid-state reaction process. The structure and luminescence properties of phosphors are described. The LiBaB9O15:Tb(3+) phosphor shows a characteristic green emission, with the peak located at 551 nm, which corresponds to the (5)D4→(7)F5 transition of Tb(3+). The LiBaB9O15:Eu(3+) phosphor presents an obvious red emission, with the peak located at 617 nm, which is ascribed to the (5)D0→(7)F2 transition of Eu(3+). The highly intense red emission peaks of the Eu(3+) ions were attributed to an effective energy transfer from the Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) ions in LiBaB9O15:Tb(3+),Eu(3+), which has been verified through the luminescence spectra and the fluorescence decay dynamics. The results mean that LiBaB9O15:Tb(3+),Eu(3+) phosphors might have potential applications as a red emitting phosphor for white LEDs.