Investigation of Boron-doping Effect on Photoluminescence Properties of CdNb2O6: Eu(3+) Phosphors

Pure, Eu(3+) - doped and Eu(3+),B(3+) co-doped CdNb2O6 powders have been prepared by a molten salt synthesis method using Li2SO4/Na2SO4 salt mixture as a flux at a relatively low temperatures as compared to solid state reaction. X-ray diffraction patterns of pure CdNb2O6 samples indicated orthorhombic single phase. Photoluminescence investigations of CdNb2O6 samples showed a strong blue emission band centered at 460 nm. For Eu-doped CdNb2O6 samples, the luminescence of Eu(3+) was observed with the host red emission varying with the Eu-doping concentrations. This PL characteristic of the doped samples may be attributed to the energy transfer between Eu(3+) and niobate groups (NbO6). Boron incorporation has remarkably increased the luminescence of Eu(3+)-doped CdNb2O6.