Crystal structure and pale‐yellow emitting properties of K3Gd1–xDyxB6O12 solid solutions

A new potassium dysprosium polyborate, K₃DyB₆O₁₂, has been prepared via the high‐temperature molten salt method and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The structure can be described as a three‐dimensional framework composed of isolated bicyclic [B₅O₁₀]^5? groups and Dy³⁺ and K⁺ ions. The Fourier transform IR (FT–IR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectra were investigated. A series of K₃Gd_1–xDy_xB₆O₁₂ phosphors was prepared and their photoluminescence properties were studied. The K₃Gd_1–xDy_xB₆O₁₂ phosphors exhibit a strong yellow emission band at 577 nm (the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transition of Dy³⁺) under UV excitation of 275 nm (the ⁸S_7/2→⁶I_J transition of Gd³⁺), suggesting the occurrence of the energy transfer Gd³⁺→Dy³⁺. The optimized doping concentration of the Dy³⁺ ion was 8 mol%. We may expect that K₃Gd_1–xDy_xB₆O₁₂ is a promising pale‐yellow emission phosphor for visual displays or solid‐state lighting.