Synthesis and Physical Properties of Nd:YVO4 Nanopowders prepared by a Chemical Method

Single-phase Nd-doped YVO4 nanopowders were synthesized by a chemical method. The powders were heated at 1200A degrees C for 1 h to obtain good crystallinity with better luminescence. Annealing temperature affects the crystal structure of the nanopowders. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that a preferred crystallographic orientation is [200]. Measurements showed that the nanoparticles had an average size of 62.5 nm. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the nanopowders indicated the formation of uniform and nearly spherical Nd:YVO4 particles. The transmittance spectrum of the nanopowders showed a broad absorption band around 808 nm. Photoluminescence studies on the annealed powders revealed their luminescence properties.