Synthesis, luminescence and effect of heat treatment on the properties of Dy3+-doped YVO4 phosphor

Dysprosium-activated yttrium vanadate phosphor was synthesized at 500 °C by combustion method using urea as fuel and metal nitrates as precursor. The phosphors thus obtained were treated at different temperatures from 700 to 1100 °C for 2–3 h to get better luminescent properties. The characteristics emission peaks of Dy3+ due to the transitions of 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 at 483 nm and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 at 573 nm were observed in the emission spectra. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations were carried out to understand surface morphological features and the particle size of the phosphor. The uniformity of phase of Dy3+ doped YVO4 phosphor was checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. In addition, the dependence of the luminescence intensity on Dy3+ concentrations and effect of heat treatment on the particle size of the phosphor have also been discussed. The particle size of the phosphor after heat treatment at 1100 °C was found to be ∼1 μm.