Low-temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnGa2O4:Tb3+ phosphors via the Pechini method

The synthesis of trivalent terbium doped ZnGa2O4 nanosized new phosphors by the Pechini method was reported. Well-crystallized ZnGa2O4:Tb3+ phosphors were obtained at low-temperature about 550 °C. The phosphors formed porous agglomerates which consist of spherical nanocrystallites with a uniform size at about 30 nm. The photoluminescence of the phosphors included both the luminescence of ZnGa2O4 host and characteristic emission of Tb3+, and the excitation spectra showed an energy transfer from the host lattice to the activator. The Tb3+ emission from the phosphors prepared by the Pechini process was more intensive than that of phosphors by solid-state reaction process.