Synthesis of Gd2Ti2O7:Eu, V phosphors by sol-gel process and its luminescent properties

A red-emitting phosphor material, Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺, V⁴⁺, by added vanadium ions is synthesized using the sol-gel method. Phosphor characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the phosphor possesses a good crystalline structure, while scanning electron microscopy reveals a uniform phosphor particle size in the range of 230-270 nm. X-ray photon electron spectrum analysis demonstrates that the V⁴⁺ ion promotes an electron dipole transition of Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺ phosphors, causing a new red-emitting phenomenon, and CIE value shifts to x=0.63, y=0.34 (a purer red region) from x=0.57, y=0.33 (CIE of Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺). The optimal composition of the novel red-emitting phosphor is about 26% of V⁴⁺ ions while the material is calcinated at 800  °C. The results of electroluminescent property of the material by field emission experiment by CNT-contained cathode agreed well with that of photoluminescent analysis.     

N-doped TiO2 photo-catalyst for the degradation of 1,2-dichloroethane under fluorescent light

The photo-catalytic degradation of 1,2-dichloroethane (1, 2-DCE) using nitrogen-doped TiO₂ photo-catalysts under fluorescent light irradiation was investigated. Highly pure TiO₂ and nitrogen-doped TiO₂ were prepared by a sol-gel method and characterized by thermo-gravimetric/differential-thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicate that the photo-catalysts were mainly nano-size with an anatase-phase structure. The degradation reaction of 1,2-DCE was operated under visible-light irradiation, and the photo-catalytic oxidation was conducted in a batch photo-reactor with various nitrogen doping ratios (N/Ti = 0-25 mol%). The relative humidity (RH) was controlled at 0-20% and the oxygen concentration was controlled at 0-21%. The photo-degradation with nitrogen-doped TiO₂ showed superior photo-catalytic activity compared to that for pure TiO₂. TiO₂ doped with 15 mol% nitrogen exhibited the best photo-catalytic efficiency under the tested conditions. The products from the 1,2-DCE photo-catalytic oxidation were CO₂ and water; the by-products included dichloromethane, methyl chloride, ethyl chloride, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen chloride. The reaction pathway of 1,2-DCE indicates that oxygen molecules are the major factor that causes the degradation of 1,2-DCE in the gas phase.     

Preparation and characterization of Fe-doped TiO2 on fly ash cenospheres for photocatalytic application

Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ film deposited on fly ash cenosphere (Fe-TiO₂/FAC) was successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method. These fresh photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The XRD results showed that Fe element can maintain metastable anatase phase of TiO₂, and effect of temperature showed rutile phase appears in 650 °C for 0.01% Fe-TiO₂/FAC. The SEM analysis revealed the Fe-TiO₂ films on the surface of a fly ash cenosphere with a thickness of 2 μm. The absorption threshold of Fe-TiO₂/FACs shifted to a longer wavelength compared to the photocatalyst without Fe³⁺-doping in the UV-vis absorption spectra. The photocatalytic activity and kinetics of Fe-TiO₂/FAC with varying the iron content and the calcination temperatures were investigated by measuring the photodegradation of methyl blue (MB) during visible light irradiation. Compared with TiO₂/FAC and Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ powder (Fe-TiO₂), the degradation ratio using Fe-TiO₂/FAC increased by 33% and 30%, respectively, and the best calcined temperature was 450 °C and the optimum doping of Fe/Ti molar ratio was 0.01%. The Fe-TiO₂/FAC particles can float in water due to the low density of FAC in favor of phase separation to recover these photocatalyst after the reaction, and the recovery test shows that calcination contributes to regaining photocatalytic activity of Fe-TiO₂/FAC photocatalyst.     

Enhanced photoluminescence of Sm/Bi co-doped Gd2O3 phosphors by combustion synthesis

Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺,Bi³⁺ powders were prepared by a combustion method. Their structures were determined using X-ray diffraction. UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence spectra were investigated for Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺,Bi³⁺ at different annealing temperatures and different doping concentrations. The emission spectra of all samples presented the characteristic emission narrow lines arising from the ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_J transitions (J=5/2, 7/2, and 9/2) of Sm³⁺ ions upon excitation with UV irradiation. The emission intensity of Sm³⁺ ions was largely enhanced with introducing Bi³⁺ ions into Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and the maximum occurred at a Bi³⁺ concentration of 0.5 mol%. The relevant mechanisms were discussed with the sensitization theory by Dexter and the aggregation behavior of Bi³⁺ ions.     

Photooxidation of different organic dyes (RB, MO, TB, and BG) using Fe(III)-doped TiO2 nanophotocatalyst prepared by novel chemical method

The nano-structured Fe(III)-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts with anatase phase have been developed for the oxidation of non-biodegradable different organic dyes like methyl orange (MO), rhodamine B (RB), thymol blue (TB) and bromocresol green (BG) using UV-Hg-lamp. The different compositions of Fe_xTi_1−xO₂ (x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1) nanocatalysts synthesized by chemical method (CM), have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, specific surface area (BET), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) analysis, XPS, ESR and zeta potential. From XRD analysis, the results indicate that all the compositions of Fe(III) doped in TiO₂ catalysts gives only anatase phase not rutile phase. For complete degradation of all the solutions of the dyes (MO, RB, TB, and BG), the composition with x = 0.005 is more photoactive compared all other compositions of Fe_xTi_1−xO₂, and degussa P25. The decolorization rate of different dyes decreases as Fe(III) concentration in TiO₂ increases. The energy band gap of Fe(III)-doped TiO₂ is found to be 2.38 eV. The oxidation state of iron has been found to be 3+ from XPS and ESR show that Fe³⁺ is in low spin state.     

Optical properties of Dy ions in sodium gadolinium tungstates crystal

Dy³⁺-doped NaGd(WO₄)₂ crystal with sizes of about Φ20×40 mm² was grown by the Czochralski technique along the (0 0 1) orientation. Polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curve of Dy³⁺-doped NaGd(WO₄)₂ have been recorded at room temperature. Based on the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory, the intensity parameters from the measured line strengths were evaluated. The J-O parameters were used to predict radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes and branching ratios for various excited levels of Dy³⁺-doped NaGd(WO₄)₂ crystal. The luminescent quantum efficiency of the ⁴F_9/2 level was determined to be approximately 63% for this material. The emission cross-section of the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transition was estimated by using the Füchtbauer-Ladengurg method.     

Emission analysis of Pr and Tm: Ca2Gd2W3O14 phosphors

5 mol% of Pr³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions activated calcium gadolinium tungstate (Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄₎ phosphors were synthesized by traditional solid state reaction method. Crystalline phase structure was identified from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) profiles. From the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, we have observed the agglomeration of the particles, and average grain size is around 40-300 nm. Using the energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, identified the elements and functional groups present in the prepared phosphors. The emission spectrum of Pr³⁺: Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄ powder phosphors have shown an intense red emission at 615 nm with the excitation wavelength λ_exci=450 nm and thus these red color emitting powder phosphors are used as one of the components in the preparation of WLEDs. The excitation spectrum of Tm³⁺: Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄ powder phosphor has shown a ligand to metal charge transfer (W-O) band (LMCT) within the WO₄²⁻ group. Emission spectrum of Tm³⁺: Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄ phosphors have shown blue emissions at 453 nm (¹D₂→³F₄).     

Enhanced optical activation of Er in Er-doped Al2O3 powders by Y codoping in a sol-gel method

Enhanced photoluminescence (PL) mechanism of Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ powders by Y³⁺ codoping at wavelength 1.53 μm has been investigated through PL measurements of 0.1 mol% Er³⁺- and 0-20 mol% Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders prepared at a sintering temperature of 900 °C in a non-aqueous sol-gel method. PL intensity and lifetime of Er³⁺-Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders composed of γ-(Al,Er,Y)₂O₃ and θ-(Al,Er,Y)₂O₃ phases increased with increasing Y³⁺-codoping concentration. The 10-20 mol% Y³⁺ codoping in 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ powders intensified the PL intensity by about 20 times, with a PL lifetime prolonged from 3.5 to 5.8 ms. A maximal increase of the optical activity of Er³⁺ in 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders about one order was achieved by 10-20 mol% Y³⁺ codoping. It is found that the improved PL properties for Er³⁺-Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders are mainly attributed to enhanced optical activation of Er³⁺ in the Al₂O₃ by Y³⁺ codoping, and to the slightly increased radiative quantum efficiency of Er³⁺ in the Al₂O₃.     

Sol-gel growth of Gd2MoO6:Eu nanocrystalline layers on SiO2 spheres (SiO2@Gd2MoO6:Eu) and their luminescent properties

SiO₂@Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ core-shell phosphors were prepared by the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the resulting SiO₂@Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ core-shell phosphors. The XRD results demonstrate that the Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ layers on the SiO₂ spheres begin to crystallize after annealing at 600 °C and the crystallinity increases with raising the annealing temperature. The obtained core-shell phosphors have a near perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 600 nm), are not agglomerated, and have a smooth surface. The thickness of the Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ shells on the SiO₂ cores could be easily tailored by varying the number of deposition cycles (50 nm for four deposition cycles). The Eu³⁺ shows a strong PL luminescence (dominated by ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ red emission at 613 nm) under the excitation of 307 nm UV light. The PL intensity of Eu³⁺ increases with increasing the annealing temperature and the number of coating cycles.     

Study on the photocatalytic activity of K2La2Ti3O10 doped with zinc(Zn)

The layered perovskite type oxides, K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ and zinc(Zn)-doped K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ were prepared by sol-gel method and were characterized by power X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity for water splitting of the catalyst powders was investigated with I⁻ as electron donor under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation respectively. The electronic structure of the powders has been analyzed by the first principles calculation, which reveals the photo responses in the visible region and the improvement of the photocatalytic activity of K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀. Conclusions were made that zinc(Zn)-doped K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ exhibited higher reactivity for hydrogen production. When I⁻ was used as electron donor, the optimum doping concentration of zinc(Zn) was found to be 0.015:1 (n_Zn:n_Ti). The average hydrogen production rates were 126.6 μmol/(gcat h) under ultraviolet irradiation and 55.5 μmol/(gcat h) under visible light irradiation which were raised by 131% and 251% compared with undoped K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ photocatalyst, respectively.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Mn2+ and Gd3+ in Pr2Zn3(NO3)12.24 H2O single crystals

The electron paramagnetic resonance of Mn²⁺ and Gd³⁺ doped in Pr₂Zn₃(NO₃)₁₂.24H₂O single crystals has been studied at X-band. Mn²⁺ substitutes for two Zn²⁺ sites, while Gd³⁺ substitutes for single type of Pr³⁺ sites. The spin-Hamiltonian analysis of the EPR spectra is presented at 298 K as well as 77 K.     

Processes of the excitation energy migration and transfer in Ce-doped alkali gadolinium phosphates studied with time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy technique

Spectral-kinetic characteristics of Gd³⁺ and Ce³⁺ luminescence from a series of Ce³⁺-doped alkali gadolinium phosphates of MGdP₄O₁₂ type (M=Li, Na, Cs) have been studied within 4.2-300 K temperature range using time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy techniques. The processes of energy migration along the Gd³⁺ sub-lattice and energy transfer between the Gd³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions have been investigated. Peculiarities of these processes have been compared for MGdP₄O₁₂ phosphate hosts with different alkali metal ions. A contribution of different levels from the ⁶P_j multiplet of the lowest Gd³⁺ excited state into the energy migration and transfer processes has been clarified. The phonon-assisted occupation of high-energy ⁶P_{5/2, 3/2} levels by Gd³⁺ in the excited ⁶P_j state has been revealed as a shift of Gd³⁺⁶P_j→⁸S_7/2 emission into the short-wavelength spectral range upon the temperature increase. The relaxation of excited Gd³⁺ via phonon-assisted population of Gd³⁺⁶P_5/2 level (next higher one to the lowest excited ⁶P_7/2) is supposed to be responsible for the rise in probability of energy migration within the Gd³⁺ sub-lattice initiating the Gd³⁺→Ce³⁺ energy transfer at T<150 K, whereas further intensification of Gd³⁺→Ce³⁺ energy transfer at T>150 K is explained by the increase in probability of Gd³⁺ relaxation into the highest ⁶P_3/2 level of the ⁶P_j multiplet. An efficient reversed Ce³⁺→Gd³⁺ energy transfer has been revealed for the studied phosphates at 4.2 K.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Sm-doped CaWO4 nanoparticles

The Sm³⁺-doped CaWO₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Sm³⁺-doped CaWO₄ nanoparticles doped with different Sm³⁺ concentrations under 405 nm excitation have been investigated. The PL spectra showed four strong emission peaks at 460, 571, 609, and 653 nm. The first emission peak at 460 nm could be due to a structural defect of the lattice, an oxygen-deficient WO₃ complex. The other three emissions at 571, 609, and 653 nm were due to the f-f forbidden transitions of the 4f electrons of Sm³⁺, corresponding to ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_5/2 (571 nm), ⁶H_7/2 (609 nm), and ⁶H_9/2 (653 nm), respectively. In addition, the optimum Sm³⁺ concentration in CaWO₄ nanoparticles for optical emission was determined to be 1.0%. The Sm³⁺⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2 (609 nm) emission intensity of Sm³⁺-doped CaWO₄ nanoparticles significantly increased with the increase of Sm³⁺ concentration, and showed a maximum when Sm³⁺ doping content was 1.0%. If Sm³⁺ concentration continued to increase, namely more than 1.0%, the Sm³⁺⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2 emission intensity would decrease. The present materials might be a promising phosphor for white-light LED applications.     

Luminescence studies on ZnO-P2O5 glasses doped with Gd2O3:Eu nanoparticles and Eu2O3

Zinc phosphate glasses doped with Gd₂O₃:Eu nanoparticles and Eu₂O₃ were prepared by conventional melt-quench method and characterized for their luminescence properties. Binary ZnO-P₂O₅ glass is characterized by an intrinsic defect centre emission around 324 nm. Strong energy transfer from these defect centres to Eu³⁺ ions has been observed when Eu₂O₃ is incorporated in ZnO-P₂O₅ glasses. Lack of energy transfer from these defect centres to Eu³⁺ in Gd₂O₃:Eu nanoparticles doped ZnO-P₂O₅ glass has been attributed to effective shielding of Eu³⁺ ions from the luminescence centre by Gd-O-P type of linkages, leading to an increased distance between the luminescent centre and Eu³⁺ ions. Both doped and undoped glasses have the same glass transition temperature, suggesting that the phosphate network is not significantly affected by the Gd₂O₃:Eu nanoparticles or Eu₂O₃ incorporation.     

Spectral properties of Nd-doped Sr3Ga2Ge4O14 crystal

Neodymium doped strontium gallogermanate crystals were grown successfully by the Bridgman technique. The linear thermal expansion coefficients for the c- and a-axes were measured as 5.8 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ and 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹. Absorption spectra, and fluorescence spectra, as well as fluorescence decay curves of Nd³⁺-doped Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ crystal, have been recorded at room temperature and used to calculate the absorption and stimulated emission cross-sections. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, three intensity parameters were obtained. The luminescent quantum efficiency of the ⁴F_3/2 level was determined to be approximately 73.8% for this material. Compared with other Nd³⁺-doped laser crystals, Nd³⁺-doped Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ crystal displays special laser properties due to its disorder structure.     

Effects of electron beam current density and temperature on peak height ratios Dj/D0 for cathodoluminescence of Ln2O2S:Eu

The change in the initial and steady state (∼0 and 5 s after initiation of electron beam irradiation) peak heights from the ⁵D₂⇒⁷F₃, ⁵D₁⇒⁷F₃ and ⁵D₀⇒⁷F₂ cathodoluminescent transitions from Eu³⁺ have been studied for Ln₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ (Ln=La, Gd) phosphors. Specifically, the intensity ratio of these transitions, designated as ⁵D₁/⁵D₀, increased and then decreased for both La₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ (0.1 mole%) and Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ (0.4 mole%), as the current density was changed from 10 towards a 1000 μA/cm². These effects were shown to be consistent with feeding from the higher ⁵D₂ excited state to the lower energy ⁵D₁ excited state, resulting in an increase of the ⁵D₁/⁵D₀ ratio at low current densities. At higher current densities, energy was funneled from the ⁵D₁-⁵D₀ states, resulting in a decrease of the ⁵D₁/⁵D₀ ratio. These effects of feeding versus funneling were dependent on both the Eu³⁺ concentration and current density, and changed with time (i.e., approached a steady state after ∼5 s) due to increased activator interactions from induced internal electric fields. The magnitude of thermal quenching versus interaction quenching was investigated using changes of the peak height ratios of ⁵D₂/⁵D₀ and ⁵D₁/⁵D₀.     

Optical properties of (ZnO)0.5(P2O5)0.5 glasses doped with Gd2O3:Eu nanoparticles and Eu2O3

Binary (ZnO)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 glasses doped with Eu₂O₃ and nanoparticles of Gd₂O₃:Eu were prepared by conventional melt-quench method and their luminescence properties were compared. Undoped (ZnO)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 glass is characterized by a luminescent defect centre (similar to L-centre present in Na₂O-SiO₂ glasses) with emission around 324 nm and having an excited state lifetime of 18 ns. Such defect centres can transfer the energy to Eu³⁺ ions leading to improved Eu³⁺ luminescence from such glasses. Based on the decay curves corresponding to the ⁵D₀ level of Eu³⁺ ions in both Gd₂O₃:Eu nanoparticles incorporated as well as Eu₂O₃ incorporated glasses, a significant clustering of Eu³⁺ ions taking place with the latter sample is confirmed. From the lifetime studies of the excited state of L-centre emission from (ZnO)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 glass doped with Gd₂O₃:Eu nanoparticles, it is established that there exists weak energy transfer from L-centres to Eu³⁺ ions. Poor energy transfer from the defect centres to Eu³⁺ ions in Gd₂O₃:Eu nanoparticles doped (ZnO)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 glass has been attributed to effective shielding of Eu³⁺ ions from the luminescence centre by Gd-O-P type of linkages, leading to an increased distance between luminescent centre and Eu³⁺ ions.     

Synthesis and characterization of the Pd/InVO4-TiO2 co-doped thin films with visible light photocatalytic activities

Novel Pd/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films with visible light photocatalytic activity were synthesized from the Pd and InVO₂ co-doped TiO₂ sol via sol-gel method. The photocatalytic activities of Pd/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films were investigated based on the oxidative decomposition of methyl orange in aqueous solution. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis). The results indicate that the Pd/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films are compact, uniform and consist of sphere nanoparticles with diameters about 80-100 nm. The UV-vis spectra show that the Pd/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films extend the light absorption spectrum toward the visible region. XPS results reveal that doped Pd exist in the form of metallic palladium. The photocatalytic experiments demonstrate that Pd doping can effectively enhance the photocatalytic activities of InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films in decomposition of aqueous methyl orange under visible light irradiation. It has been confirmed that Pd/InVO₄-TiO₂ thin films could be excited by visible light (E < 3.2 eV) due to the existence of the Pd and InVO₄ doped in the films.     

Abnormally enhanced Eu emission in Y2O2SO4:Eu inherited from their precursory dodecylsulfate-templated concentric-layered nanostructure

A new nanostructure-mediated approach was demonstrated to synthesize Eu³⁺-doped yttrium oxysulfates Y₂O₂SO₄:Eu³⁺ giving rise to abnormally enhanced Eu³⁺ emission. Yttrium and europium salts, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), and urea at various Eu³⁺ concentrations were reacted in aqueous solution at 80, 85, and 87 °C to yield Eu³⁺-doped dodecylsulfate-templated yttrium oxide mesophases with straight-layered (S-type), concentric-layered (C-type) and layer-to-hexagonal transient-layered (T-type) structures, respectively. On calcination at 1000 °C, all of these mesophases were converted into Y₂O₂SO₄:Eu³⁺ to exhibit luminescence bands including the ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition with a tendency in intensity to saturate or reach a maximum at 10-12 mol% Eu doping. The Eu³⁺ emissions for Y₂O₂SO₄:Eu³⁺ mediated by the T- and C-type mesophases were enhanced in intensity by a factor of about two and three times, respectively, stronger than those for not only compositionally the same sulfate Y₂O₂SO₄:Eu³⁺ obtained from yttrium-based sulfates but also Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ obtained in the SDS-free system. In contrast, the emission intensities for the S-type-mesophase-mediated Y₂O₂SO₄:Eu³⁺ were close to those for the latter sulfates. The abnormally enhanced emission is likely based on specific deformation of sulfate groups induced through the conversion of concentric dodecylsulfate-layers to straight sulfate-layers in the oxysulfate framework upon calcination.     

Luminescent properties of (Y,Gd)BO3:Bi,RE (RE=Eu, Tb) phosphor under VUV/UV excitation

Bi³⁺- and RE³⁺-co-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃ phosphors were prepared and their luminescent properties under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)/UV excitation were investigated. Strong red emission for (Y,Gd)BO₃:Bi³⁺,Eu³⁺ and strong green emission for (Y,Gd)BO₃:Bi³⁺,Tb³⁺ are observed under VUV excitation from 147 to 200 nm with a much broader excitation region than that of single Eu³⁺-doped or Tb³⁺-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃ phosphor. Strong emissions are also observed under UV excitation around 265 nm where as nearly no luminescence is observed for single Eu³⁺-doped or Tb³⁺-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃. The luminescence enhancement of Bi³⁺- and RE³⁺-co-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃ phosphors is due to energy transfer from Bi³⁺ ion to Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ ion not only in the VUV region but also in the UV region. Besides, host sensitization competition between Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ is also observed. The investigated phosphors may be preferable for devices with a VUV light 147-200 nm as an excitation source such as PDP or mercury-free fluorescent lamp.