The effects of charge compensation on photoluminescence properties of a new green‐emitting ZnB₂O₄:Tb³⁺ phosphor

Abstract

Charge compensation is an effective way to eliminate charge defects and improve the luminescent intensity of phosphors. In this paper, a new green-emitting phosphor ZnB(2)O(4):Tb(3+) was prepared by solid-state reaction at 750 °C. The effects of Tb(3+) doping content and charge compensators (Li(+), Na(+) or K(+)) on photoluminescence properties of ZnB(2)O(4):Tb(3+) were investigated. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirms the sample has cubic structure of ZnB(2)O(4). The excitation and emission spectra indicate that this phosphor can be excited by near ultraviolet light at 378 nm, and exhibits bright green emission with the highest peak at 544 nm corresponding to the (5)D4 → (7)F5 transition of Tb(3+). The critical quenching concentration of Tb(3+) in ZnB(2)O(4) host is 8 mol%. The results of charge compensation show that the emission intensity can be improved by Na(+) and K(+). Specifically, K(+) is the optimal one for ZnB(2)O(4):Tb(3+).