Sensitization Mechanism of Alumina Aerogels: Introducing Gd3+ as a Sensitizing Ion to Enhance the Luminescence Intensity of Tb3+

Abstract

AbstractTo enhance the luminous intensity of phosphors containing Tb3+, Gd3+ was used as a sensitizing ion to recombine with Tb3+. Gd3+ and Tb3+ ions were loaded on the Al2O3 aerogel matrix with nano porous structure via a simple and facile sol‐gel method. After vacuum drying and calcination, Al2O3: Tb3+, Gd3+ composite aerogel materials were obtained. Al2O3 aerogel matrix has three‐dimensional nanostructure and good chemical stability, which can provide stable crystal field and emission site for the rare earth activated ions. The results indicated that the introduction of Gd3+ can effectively enhance the luminescence intensity of Al2O3: Tb3+ at 543 nm under 260 nm UV excitation. The optimal ratio of Gd3+ and Tb3+ was determined to be 1: 1. The mechanism of Gd3+ sensitization to Tb3+ can be considered as electric multipole resonance transmission. We expected that this work could provide guidance for the development of enhancing the luminous intensity of green phosphors for lamp.