Synthesis condition effects on the emission enhancement of YBO3 powder

Abstract

In the present study, self-activated YBO3 powder was successfully synthesized via a facile solid-phase method using ammonium tetraborate tetrahydrate. A modified synthesis temperature (900 °C) reduced the nanoparticle sizes up to 5 nm. Very detailed investigations using different characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies, and ion beam-induced luminescence (IBIL) were performed. Raman spectrum confirmed the presence of small amounts of boron in BO3 coordination. PL spectroscopy of the synthesized YBO3 powder showed that the prepared sample emitted a strong blue emission band centered at 416 and an intense green emission band centered at 480 nm. Another green emission line at 529 nm with lower intensity was also detected at all excitations. IBIL spectrum showed a broad UV-blue emission line from 220 to 450 nm and two green emission lines. These emission lines were observed without any dopant. They were the result of the size of particles and boron in BO3 coordination which leads to vacancy defects. The results of the study demonstrated that the ultrafine microstructures and the existence of boron in the three-fold coordination played critical roles in receiving new optical properties.