Photoluminescence properties of Sr3(VO4)2, Sr2Y2/3−yEuy(VO4)2 and Sr2Y2/3−zSmz(VO4)2

Photoluminescence properties of Sr3(VO4)2, Sr2Y2/3−yEuy(VO4)2 and Sr2Y2/3−zSmz(VO4)2 (y, z = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) samples have been investigated. The self-activated Sr3(VO4)2 sample shows the activation and emission bands due to the charge transfer transition of VO43-. While Sr2+ is partially substituted by Y3+, Sr2Y2/3 (VO4)2 can be used as the good host material for Eu3+ and Sm3+ activator-ions. The Eu3+ and Sm3+ ions doped Sr2Y2/3(VO4)2 can be effectively excited by the near UV light with wavelengths of 300 nm, and emit red light around 617 and 604 nm, respectively. Specially, for Sr2Y2/3−yEuy(VO4)2, Y3+ substitution quite enhances the emission intensity and quenching concentration of Eu3+. For example, Sr2Y0.56Eu0.1(VO4)2 has higher emission intensity than Sr2.85Eu0.1(VO4)2 without Y3+, and even much higher than Y1−xEuxVO4 which has been extensively used. Our results suggest that Sr2Y2/3−yEuy(VO4)2 samples may be good candidate for a new phosphor to convert the UV pump light into visible wavelength bands.

Research highlights
► Y-free and Y-doped Sr3(VO4)2:Re3+ (Re3+ = Eu3+, Sm3+) phosphors.
► Dopant Y3+ quite enhances the emission intensity of phosphor.
► Sr2Y0.36Eu0.3(VO4)2 has stronger intensity than that of Y1−xEuxVO4 (x = 0.1).
► Sr2Y2/3−yEuy(VO4)2 samples may be good candidate for a new phosphor.