Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of YVO4:Eu3+, Al3+ phosphor

The Y0.95−xAlxVO4:5%Eu3+ (0≤x≤0.1) phosphors were successfully synthesized by solid state reaction at 900 °C for 6 h, and their luminescence properties were investigated under UV and VUV excitation. Monitoring at 619 nm, a strong broad absorption was enhanced by co-doping of Al3+ into the YVO4:Eu3+ lattices at 256 nm under UV excitation. The VUV excitation spectra also showed the enhanced excitation bands at about 156 and 200 nm. Under 254 or 147 nm excitation, it was found that Y0.95−xAlxVO4:Eu3+(0≤x≤0.1) phosphors showed strong red emission at about 619 nm corresponding to the electric dipole 5D0–7F2 transition of Eu3+. The improvement of luminescence intensity of YVO4:Eu3+ was also observed after partial substituting Y3+ by Al3+ and the optimal luminescence intensity appeared with incorporation of 2.5 mol% Al3+.