Solid state-hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence of LaVO4: Eu3+ nanophosphors

A modified hydrothermal process is engaged in the synthesis of LaVO4: Eu3+ nanophosphor. All kinds of inorganic salts (solid state hydrated rare earth nitrates and NH4VO3) and precipitation reagents (ammonia and urea) are mixed to form the solid state precursors instead of general aqueous solution systems, and a little amount water exists in the hydrothermal reaction systems. Both X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission scanning electronic microscope (TEM) shows that the uniform microstructure with the particle size of around 60 nm and the product from ammonia possesses the higher phase purity than that from urea. LaVO4: Eu3+ shows a strong red emission at 617 nm originating from the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) hypersensitive transition of Eu3+ ion. Especially the LaVO4: Eu3+ nanophosphor from ammonia presents the more excellent photoluminescent property (lifetime and quantum efficiency) than that from urea. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved