Preparation and luminescence properties of Tb³⁺ -doped garnet Y₂ Mg₂ Al₂ Si₂ O₁₂ luminescent materials

We prepared Y₂ Mg₂ Al₂ Si₂ O₁₂ :xTb³⁺ (x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.12, 0.14 and 0.16) luminescent materials using a nodulizing procedure. The phase and luminescence properties of these materials were investigated. X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that Tb³⁺ ions doped into Y₂ Mg₂ Al₂ Si₂ O₁₂ hosts successfully and the Y₂ Mg₂ Al₂ Si₂ O₁₂ :xTb³⁺ materials showed a pure cubic phase. Y₂ Mg₂ Al₂ Si₂ O₁₂ :xTb³⁺ materials had the characteristic Tb³⁺ emission bands derived from ⁵ D₄ →⁷ F₆ , ⁷ F₅ , ⁷ F₄ , and ⁷ F₃ transitions when excited at 365 nm. The green emission band that derived from the ⁵ D₄ →⁷ F₅ transition was highest due to the high possibility of both electric-dipole and magnetic-dipole transitions. Emission spectra indicated that the critical concentration of Tb³⁺ in the Y₂ Mg₂ Al₂ Si₂ O₁₂ host was 0.14. The concentration quenching of Y₂ Mg₂ Al₂ Si₂ O₁₂ :Tb³⁺ was derived from a dipole-dipole interaction.