Cathodoluminescence studies of yttrium silicate:cerium phosphors synthesised by a sol–gel process

Sol–gel chemistry has been used to produce a Y2SiO5:Ce phosphor with good chromaticity and brightness. Although, the chromaticity of Y2SiO5:Ce1% was similar to that of a commercial Y2SiO5:Ce phosphor, it was ∼20–25% brighter. Yttrium silicate:cerium phosphors that contained a range of gadolinium concentrations were also prepared by the sol–gel route, and their luminescence properties under cathodoluminescent conditions were measured. Over the range of gadolinium concentrations, there was no significant change in the chromaticity of the phosphors, but the addition of gadolinium resulted in a ∼20% loss in brightness compared to Y2SiO5:Ce1% synthesised by the sol–gel route.