Synthesis and VUV photoluminescence characterization of (Y,Gd)(V,P)O ₄;Eu³⁺ as a potential red-emitting PDP phosphor

YVO₄:Eu^3--based phosphors in three series with compositions (Y_1-xEu_x)(V_1-zP_z)O ₄, (Y_0.95-yGd_yEu_0.05)(V _0.4P_0.6) O₄ and (Y_0.95-yEu _0.05Gd_y)(V_1-z-P_z)O₄ were synthesized and investigated as potential red-emitting phosphors for a plasma display panel (PDF). The optimal substitution proportions of P for V and Gd for Y were determined to be 60 and 20 mol %, respectively, for (Y _0.95-yGd_y)(V_1-zP_z)O₄ doped with 5 mol % Eu³⁺. The vacuum ultraviolet PL and PLE spectra and chromaticity characteristics for the synthesized phosphors were measured and compared against those of a commercial red-emitting phosphor. Pumping the (Y,Gd)(P,V)O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors at a wavelength of 172 nm is more efficient than that at 147 nm. For VUV excitation at 147 nm, the CIE chromaticity coordinates for our red-emitting (Y_1-yGd _y)(V_0.4P_0.6)O₄:Eu³⁺ are (0.6614,0.3286), as compared to (0.6443, 0.3613) for (Y,Gd)BO ₃:Eu³⁺ from Kasei Optonix Ltd. We suggest that the composition-optimized (Y_0.75Gd_0.20Eu_0.05) (V_0.4P_0.6)O₄ can serve as an alternative phosphor to replace a widely used red-emitting commercial phosphor such as (Y,Gd)BO₃: Eu^3- or Y₂O₃: Eu ³⁺.