Cathodoluminescent properties of the green phosphor Sr3Gd(BO3)3:Tb3+

Abstract Tb3+-doped Sr3Gd(BO3)3 phosphor was prepared by solid-state reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum. XRD reveals that the Tb3+ ions have been doped into the Sr3Gd(BO3)3 host lattice. The optimum doping concentration of Tb3+ is 5 mol%. Under the excitation of low voltage electron beams (1.0–7.0 kV), the Sr3Gd0.95(BO3)3:0.05Tb3+ phosphor shows the characteristic emissions of Tb3+ (5D3,4 → 7FJ, J = 3–6 transitions) with the strongest emission around 545 nm. The emission intensity of optimal composition Sr3Gd0.95(BO3)3:0.05Tb3+ is comparable with that of commercial Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ phosphor with chromaticity coordinates of (0.2415, 0.4663). The optical properties study suggests that it could be potential candidate as a green-emitting phosphor for field emission displays (FEDs) application.