Ba3(ZnB5O10)PO4:Tb3+ green phosphor: Microwave-assisted sintering synthesis and thermally stable photoluminescence

Abstract

Green phosphor has become increasingly an attractive focus owing to its multifunctional applications in illumination, display, anti-counterfeiting, and even bio-labeling. In this paper, trivalent terbium (Tb3+)-activated Ba3(ZnB5O10)PO4 (BZBP) green phosphors were synthesized at 1050 K for 1 h via a microwave-assisted sintering route. The structural study, influence of dopant Tb3+ content and working temperature on photoluminescence behavior, and colorimetric properties were performed comprehensively. Tb3+ successfully substitutes Ba2+ in the BZBP lattice. Under 378 nm near-ultraviolet (NUV) excitation, the emission bands peak at 488, 542, 585, and 623 nm, corresponding to the 5D4→7F6, 5D4→7F5, 5D4→7F4, and 5D4→7F3 transitions of Tb3+, respectively. Despite the working temperature increases, the title phosphor maintains the high emission intensity and low chromaticity shifting, exhibiting robust thermostability and color stability. This work provides a simple and rapid synthesis method for borophosphate-based phosphor. The application of NUV-excited white light-emitting diodes fabricated with the title product and commercial phosphors (red, blue) indicates that the developed green phosphor BZBP:Tb3+ is a promising candidate material in illumination and display applications.