Luminescent properties of Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+ phosphors prepared by combining liquid phase precursor method and planetary ball milling

Red emitting nano-sized Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+ phosphors were prepared by liquid phase precursor (LPP) method followed by grinding in planetary ball mill, and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated. A single phase Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+ phosphor was successfully synthesized by LPP process, and as-synthesized phosphor exhibited an elongated morphology of ∼2 μm long and ∼400 nm wide. The planetary ball milling yielded a spherical nano-powder of ∼100 nm size and its PL intensity decreased to 17% of as-synthesized phosphor due to some degree of amorphization. The subsequent annealing at 1100 °C produced a well-crystallized, polygonal shaped Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+ nano phosphor of ∼300 nm size and its PL intensity increased to 120% compared to both as-synthesized and commercial Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+ phosphors.

Research highlights▶ Fabrication of red emitting submicron-sized Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+ phosphors by liquid phase precursor followed by planetary ball milling. ▶ Milling produces amorphous powder of 100 nm size. ▶ Post-annealing produces a well-crystallized, polygonal shaped phosphor of ∼300 nm size and PL intensity increases 120%.