Vacuum ultraviolet excited luminescence properties of sol–gel derived GdP5O14:Eu3+ powders

• Published in: Journal of luminescence 2014-01, Vol.145, p.335-339
• Main Authors: Mbarek, Aïcha, Chadeyron, Geneviève, Boyer, Damien, Avignant, Daniel, Fourati, Mohieddine, Zambon, Daniel, Mahiou, Rachid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffraction; Energy transfer; Exact sciences and technology; Excitation; Excitation spectra; Lanthanides; Luminescence; Materials science; Materials synthesis; materials processing; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Pentaphosphate; Phosphors; Physics; Sol gel process; Sol–gel; Spectra; Ultraviolet; VUV
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.07.064

Sol–gel route has successfully been used to synthesize pure and Eu3+ doped polycrystalline samples of the GdP5O14 pentaphosphates. The as-prepared samples have structurally been characterized using X-ray diffraction. Optical properties in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) of Eu3+ activated GdP5O14 samples prepared either by sol–gel process or solid-state reaction were investigated at room temperature for comparison. In this GdP5O14 host matrix the P5O14 ultraphosphate groups were proved to exhibit an efficient absorption in the VUV range. The excitation spectra recorded in the VUV-UV spectral region from 120nm to 350nm have revealed the presence of Gd3+ 4f–5d interconfiguration transitions, Gd3+–O2− and Eu3+–O2− charge transfer states(CTS)in addition to intraconfiguration transitions of Gd3+ ions.Furthermore the Gd3+→Eu3+ energy transfer process was investigated and discussed in the framework of the multiphonon relaxation process. Besides, the GdP5O14:Eu3+ phosphor led to a strong red emission under 147/172nm excitation, so that it can be considered as a promising red phosphor for mercury-free lamps and plasma display panels applications. •Lanthanide pentaphosphates were synthesized by the sol–gel process.•A broad absorption was evidenced in the VUV range for GdP5O14:Eu3+.•An efficient energy transfer was proved from pentaphosphate lattice to Eu3+ ions.