Flux and concentration effect on Eu3+ doped Gd2(MoO4)3 phosphor

A novel red emitting phosphor Gd2(MoO4)3:Eu3+ was prepared by solid reaction, using Gd2O3, Eu2O3 and WO3 as starting materials and NH4F as flux. The effects of flux content and Eu3+ concentration on the crystal structure, morphology and luminescent properties were investigated using XRD, SEM and fluorescent spectrum measurement. The XRD patterns showed that the resultants had the monoclinic structure. With the increase in flux amount, their crystallization significantly improved. The SEM images indicated that the mean size of the phosphor particles was around 2 μm, and agglomeration of the phosphor particles appeared while introducing higher flux amount. The excitation spectra exhibited more intense f-f transitions originating from ground state 7F0 to upper states 5L6 and 5D2 than the charge transfer band. The concentration quenching of Eu3+ emission indicated that energy transfer from Eu3+ to molybdate host existed even at lower Eu3+ concentration.