High-quality Y1-x-yAlxTbyBO3 (0 <= x <= 0.1. 0.04 <= y <= 0.16) phosphor powders with fine size, spherical and regular morphology, and non-agglomeration were successfully prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The blue emission from the D-5(3) -> F-7(J) (J = 4, 5, and 6) transition for the Y0.94-xAlxTb0.06BO3 phosphor was quenched. The optimal concentration of Tb3+ was reduced by doping Al3+ into the Y1-yTbyBO3 phosphor, i.e., y = 0.1 and 0.12 for Y0.975-yAl0.025TbyBO3 and Y1-yTbyBO3, respectively. The Al3+ doping was highly effective for improving the photoluminescence characteristics. The photoluminescence emission intensity of the Al3+-doped Y0.915Al0.025Tb0.06BO3 phosphor at 543 nm was about three times stronger than that of the Al3+-free Y0.94Tb0.06BO3 phosphor. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.