Colloidal chemical synthesis, structural and luminescent properties of YAl3(BO3)4:Ce3+ phosphors

Highlights: • A colloidal-chemical method was used to obtain YAG:Ce with 1,5,10 at.% Ce. • Structural parameters and luminescence of YAG: depend on the Ce concentration. • The established effect is associated with the oxidation of a part of Ce³⁺ ions to Ce⁴⁺. Crystalline phosphors made of yttrium aluminum borates YAl₃(BO₃)₄ doped with cerium have been synthesized by colloidal chemical approach involving co-precipitation of precursors from aqueous solutions of the corresponding salts in the presence of boric acid that is followed by heat treatment. Structural phase transitions occurring during the synthesis of YAl₃(BO₃)₄:Ce³⁺ were studied using thermal analysis methods (TG, DTA, and DSC). The crystalline structure and luminescent properties of the synthesized compounds were investigated by the means of X-ray powder diffraction and optical spectroscopy. The decrease in the luminescence intensity and increased splitting of the main term of Ce³⁺ ions of YAl₃(BO₃)₄:Ce³⁺ were observed at a higher concentration of the ion-activator of 10 % wt. This observation was attributed to the alteration of the structure of optical centers due to the partial oxidation of Ce³⁺ ions into the Ce⁴⁺ state.