Facile synthesis and effect of Eu, Tb Co-doping on the tunable luminescent properties of YBO₃

Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺co-doped YBO₃ three-dimensional (3D) microstructures have been hydrothermally prepared by adjusting solvent and the molar ratio of Y³⁺ to B (Y/B) at 180 °C. The whole process was carried out under alkaline conditions without the use of any surfactant or catalyst. Characterizations of the samples are carried out using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). The photoluminescence (PL) colors of YBO₃ sample co-doped with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ under ultraviolet excitation can be tuned from red, through yellow and green-yellow, to green by changing the relative doping concentrations of the two activator ions. These phosphors with multicolor emissions in the visible region be potentially used as labels for light-display systems, optoelectronic devices and biological molecules.