Synthesis of luminescent YVO4:Eu3+ submicrometer crystals through hydrogels as directing agents

The innovative hydrogel template (polyacrylamide or polyacrylic acid) directed synthesis of YVO4:Eu3+ phosphor in a controlled manner was thoroughly studied. Photoluminescence spectra show the europium(III)-doped yttrium orthovanadate could exhibit strong red emissions within the soft matrix (polyacrylamide) and remain relatively stable even when the temperature reached nearly 100 °C. After calcination process, X-ray powder diffraction patterns, SEM and DLS measurements implied that the sample was in agreement with pure tetragonal phase and the particle sizes were in the range of 100–200 nm. More importantly, YVO4:Eu3+ products prepared based on hydrogels have remarkable improvement in emission intensities compared to phosphors synthesized by conventional approach. Similar results of overall quantum efficiency also support that YVO4:Eu3+ assembled by PAM hydrogel (1.94%) is better than the routine way (0.91%).

► YVO4:Eu3+ could be formed within the soft matrix.
► The as-derived YVO4:Eu3+ exhibited red emissions and remain relatively stable nearly 100 °C.
► YVO4:Eu3+ prepared by hydrogels has remarkable improvement in emission intensities.