A novel Dy³⁺-doped Gd(PO₃)₃ white-light phosphors under VUV excitation for Hg-free lamps application

Novel Dy³⁺-doped Gd(PO₃)₃ white light phosphors each with an orthorhombic system are successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction. The luminescence properties of white-light Gd_1-x(PO₃)₃:xDy³⁺ (0<x≤ 0.25) under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation are investigated. The strong absorption at around 147 nm in excitation spectrum energy can be transferred to the energy levels of Dy³⁺ ion from the host absorption. Additionally, the white light phosphor is activated by a single Dy³⁺ ion. Therefore, the luminescence of Gd_1-x(PO₃)₃:xDy (0<x≤ 0.25) under VUV excitation is effective, and it has the promise of being applied to mercury-free lamp.