Synthesis and luminescent properties of uniform monodisperse YBO3:Eu3+/Tb3+ microspheres

Abstract

Uniform monodisperse YBO₃:Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ microspheres have been successfully synthesized via a facile ethylene glycol-mediated solvothermal method. The crystal structure, morphology and luminescence properties of the prepared products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. It was found that the size and morphology of the products could be effectively controlled by adjusting the reaction parameters, such as reaction temperature, pH value and the amount of ethylene glycol. It could be noted that ethylene glycol plays an extremely critical role in the morphology determination. The possible growth mechanism of YBO₃ microspheres was further discussed in detail on the basis of a series of time-dependent experiments. Furthermore, the luminescence properties reveal that the YBO₃:Eu³⁺ and YBO₃:Tb³⁺ phosphors show strong orange and green emissions under ultraviolet excitation, respectively.