The synthesis of green-emitting $GdPO_4$:Tb phosphor particles by the spray pyrolysis for PDP application

$GdPO_4$:Tb phosphor particles with spherical shape and high photoluminescence were prepared by spray pyrolysis. The brightness of prepared $GdPO_4$:Tb under the vacuum ultraviolet(VUV) illumination was comparable with that of the commercial $Zn_2SiO_4$:Mn phosphor particles. The photoluminescence spectra of $GdPO_4$:Tb phosphor particles had maximum peak at 547 nm, and the sharp peaks at 480 nm, 580 nm, and 620 nm. The spherical morphology of prepared $GdPO_4$:Tb particles was completely maintained even after the posttreatment up to 1100 $^{\circ}C$. When the posttreatment temperature was over 1100 $^{\circ}C$, the particles did not have the spherical shape anymore. The average particle size of $GdPO_4$:Tb phosphor particles prepared by using $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$ was changed from 0.5 to 1.9 ${\mu}m$ and its effect on the PL intensity was investigated. It was found that the optimized $GdPO_4$:Tb particles have a good excitation spectrum comparable to that of the commercial $Zn_2SiO_4$:Mn phosphor particles under the VUV illumination from 140 to 220 nm. We concluded that the $GdPO_4$:Tb phosphor particles with spherical shape prepared by spray pyrolysis is a promising candidate for a green-emitting PDP phosphor.