Luminescence spectroscopy of YVO4:Ln3+, Bi3+ (Ln3+ = Eu3+, Sm3+, Dy3+) phosphors

• YVO4:Ln3+ and YVO4:Ln3+, Bi3+ (Ln3+ = Eu3+, Sm3+ or Dy3+) phosphors have been synthesized.
• Their luminescence properties have been measured at room temperature.
• The effect of the Bi3+ codoping on the rare earth emission has been investigated.

The emission spectra of YVO4:Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Eu3+, Sm3+ or Dy3+) phosphors both singly doped and co-doped with Bi3+ have been investigated in different experimental conditions in order to assess the effect of the co-doping ions on the luminescence properties. The experimental results have been analyzed in the light of the literature information available on these materials. The role of the Bi3+-V5+ charge transfer state and its influence on the emission properties has been stressed and discussed in details.