One-dimensional GdVO4:Ln3+ (Ln=Eu, Dy, Sm) nanofibers: Electrospinning preparation and luminescence properties

One-dimensional GdVO4:Ln3+ (Ln=Eu, Dy, Sm) nanofibers have been prepared by a combination method of sol–gel process and electrospinning technology. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), quantum efficiency (QE), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The XRD, FT-IR, and TG-DTA results show that GdVO4:Ln3+ nanofibers samples crystallize at 700 °C. SEM images indicate that the as prepared precursor fibers are smooth. After being calcined at 700 °C for 4 h, the fibers still maintain their fiberlike morphology with rough surface. TEM image further manifests that the GdVO4:Ln3+ nanofibers consist of nanoparticles. Under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beam excitation, GdVO4:Ln3+ phosphors showed their strong characteristic emission due to an efficient energy transfer from vanadate groups to dopants. The optimum doping concentration of Ln3+ in the GdVO4 nanofibers also has been investigated.