Regulated morphology/phase structure and enhanced fluorescence in YF3:Eu3+,Bi3+via a facile method

A simple and facile hydrothermal method has been developed to enhance the fluorescence performance of YF3:xEu3+,y%Bi3+ (x = 0–0.2, y = 0–1.5) by optimizing the concentration of Eu3+ and Bi3+ and regulating the morphology/phase structure by controlling the amount of HNO3. The evolutionary mechanisms of the micro-topography and microstructure of the samples have been proposed, and the fluorescence and decay properties of the samples have been investigated. It was found that the fluorescence intensity of the sample has been greatly enhanced after addition of an opportune amount of Bi3+. The optimum concentrations of Eu3+ and Bi3+ for fluorescence are x = 0.125 and y = 0.5%, respectively. The significant enhancement in fluorescence performance could be obtained in the sample with the desired morphology at the optimum volume of HNO3 (VHNO3 = 11 mL).