Investigation of structure and luminescence properties of Tb3+ activated Gd(Ta1−xPx)O4 phosphors

Gd(Ta1−xPx)O4: y at.% Tb3+ phosphors with various doping concentrations of (PO4)3− and Tb3+ were prepared through high temperature solid-state method, and the corresponding crystal structures and luminescence properties were explored. XRD results indicate single phase M-Gd (Ta1-xPx) O4 can be obtained with 1300 °C sintering conditions without phase transformation. The optimized doping concentration for (PO4)3−and(TaO4)3− in M-type Gd(Ta1-xPx)O4: y at.% Tb3+ is x = 0.1 and y = 10 to obtain maximum luminous intensity, respectively. Moreover, the luminescence decay time of Tb3+ ions in Gd(Ta0.9P0.1)O4 matrix under optimized doping condition is about 1 ms and CIE chromaticity results imply the phosphors exhibit yellowish-green emission. These results suggest the Gd(Ta1−xPx)O4: y at.% Tb3+ phosphors are promising candidates for LED luminescence or medical imaging applications. •The influence of mixed matrix related to Gd(Ta1-xPx)O4 phosphors was investigated.•The structures and luminescence properties of the phosphors were analyzed.•The optimal doping concentration is x = 0.1 and y = 10, respectively.•Color-tunable emission in yellowish-green range can be obtained.