Synthesis of high efficient nanosized Y(V,P)O4:Eu3+ red phosphors by a new technique

A new synthesis technique (liquid-phase precursor method) has been employed to synthesize nanosized Y(V,P)O-4:Eu3+ red phosphor particles of size 10-35 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the synthesis of single phase Y(V,P)O-4:Eu3+ nanoparticles with tetragonal structure. The surface treatment with the KOH ionic solution at room temperature enhanced the grain growth (40-70 nm) of the nanoparticles. The possible grain growth mechanism is explained on the basis of formation of more OH- groups in the solid solution after KOH introduction. The photoluminescence spectra obtained from the nanophosphors showed strong red luminescence due to D-5(0) -> F-7(2.4) forced electric dipole transition. The luminescence intensity of the KOH-treated nanophosphors is comparable (about 70%) with the commercial sample. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.