Synthesis, structural and luminescence properties of Dy3+-doped YPO4 nanocrystals

Dy3+-doped YPO4 nanocrystals were synthesized by combustion method with urea as a fuel calcined at 600 °C. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The obtained YPO4 nanocrystals appeared to be spherical with some agglomeration and their sizes ranged from 30 to 50 nm. The luminescence intensities were found to be strongly dependent on the concentration of Dy3+ ion and the additional quantities of urea.