Synthesis and luminescence properties of Bi3+-doped YVO4 phosphors

YVO4:Bi3+ phosphors have been prepared by a convenient high-temperature solid-state method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) technologies are used to study the luminescence properties of YVO4:Bi3+ phosphors. The emission and excitation spectra of Bi3+ in the YVO4 lattice have been investigated at room temperature. The excitation band peaks at 330 nm in a region among 250-400 nm, and the emission spectrum exhibits an intense yellowish-white broad emission centered at about 543 nm covering from 400 nm to 800 nm. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) is about 144 nm. The color coordinates of the as-synthesized YVO4:Bi3+ phosphors are in a range of x = 0.358-0.374, y = 0.482-0.496. The dependence of the luminescence intensity on Bi3+ concentrations and heat treatment condition has also been discussed. In addition, we found that a little amount of flux NH4Cl could enhance the Bi3+ luminescence intensity. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.