Photoluminescent properties of Y1−xGdxVO4:Eu3+ powder phosphors

Y1−xGdxVO4:Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized via solid-state-reaction method. The structural and optical properties of these phosphors have been analyzed by the measurement of their X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence (PL). The crystallinity, surface morphology, and photoluminescence of the phosphors are highly dependent on the amount of Gd substitution. The PL data obtained from Y1−xGdxVO4:Eu3+ phosphors indicate that the PL intensity is dependent on the grain size and the crystallinity of the phosphors. In particular, the incorporation of Gd into YVO4 lattice could induce a remarkable increase of PL. The PL intensity of Y1−xGdxVO4:Eu3+ phosphors show a strong red emission at 619 nm originating from the transition 5D0 → 7F2 of Eu3+ ions and the PL intensity reaches a maximum at x = 0.4. The brightness of Y0.57Gd0.40Eu0.03VO4, phosphors increases by a factor of 1.4 in comparison with that of YVO4:Eu3+ phosphors.