Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of YVO4:Eu3+, Al3+ phosphor

Abstract The Y 0.95− x Al x VO 4 :5%Eu 3+ (0≤ x ≤0.1) phosphors were successfully synthesized by solid state reaction at 900 °C for 6 h, and their luminescence properties were investigated under UV and VUV excitation. Monitoring at 619 nm, a strong broad absorption was enhanced by co-doping of Al 3+ into the YVO 4 :Eu 3+ lattices at 256 nm under UV excitation. The VUV excitation spectra also showed the enhanced excitation bands at about 156 and 200 nm. Under 254 or 147 nm excitation, it was found that Y 0.95− x Al x VO 4 :Eu 3+ (0≤ x ≤0.1) phosphors showed strong red emission at about 619 nm corresponding to the electric dipole 5 D 0 –7 F 2 transition of Eu 3+ . The improvement of luminescence intensity of YVO 4 :Eu 3+ was also observed after partial substituting Y 3+ by Al 3+ and the optimal luminescence intensity appeared with incorporation of 2.5 mol% Al 3+ .