Photoluminescence of nanosized GdAl3(BO3)4:Sm3+, Eu3+ phosphor under UV excitation

GdAl3(BO3)4:Eu3+, Sm3+ nanophosphors were successfully prepared by a sol-gel process. The nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, and fluorescence measurements. The results show that the samples are composed of nanoparticles 40-60 nm in width. Under 406 nm excitation, the predominant emission peak of the GdAl3(BO3)4:Sm3+ nanoparticles is located at 599 nm, which is due to the 4G5/2-6H7/2 transition of Sm3+; Eu3+ activated GdAl3(BO3)4 shows intense red emission at 613 nm in the emission spectrum under 393 nm excitation, belonging to the 5D0-7F2 transition of Eu3+; For the Eu3+/Sm3+ co-doped sample, the most intensive emission at 613 nm under 393 nm excitation has been enhanced about 54% over that of the Eu3+ single-doped sample, due to an energy transfer from Sm3+ to Eu3+.