Multicolour and nearly white light emission in YP0.8V0.2O4:Sm3+ nanorods: Controlled energy transfer

Abstract Nanorods of YP 0.8 V 0.2 O 4 :Sm 3+ have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Substitution of vanadium (V 5+ ) sites in YVO 4 by phosphorus ions (P 5+ ) has been confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Careful selection of Sm 3+ concentration in YP 0.8 V 0.2 O 4 enables to achieve the controlled energy transfer from the VO 4 3− absorption to the excited states of Sm 3+ ions. The controlled energy transfer has been confirmed from the steady state luminescence and decay lifetime studies of VO 4 3− emission. With the controlled retention of VO 4 3− emission, tuning of light emission from the singly (Sm 3+ ) doped YP 0.8 V 0.2 O 4 nanorods is realized. At a particular doping concentration of Sm 3+ (1.25 at.%), a nearly white light emission is observed. The quantum yield of this nearly white light emission is found to be ∼28%. Tunability of the light and white light emission are supported by CIE chromaticity. The energy transfer efficiency from the VO 4 3− absorption to the excited states of Sm 3+ ion in YP 0.8 V 0.2 O 4 reaches upto ∼86% with the doping concentration of 2.25 at.%.