Enhancement of luminescence properties of Eu3+:YVO4 in polymeric nanocomposites upon UV excitation

Highly emissive Eu3+:YVO4 nanocrystals were successfully prepared by the hydrothermal method. The average diameter of grains was determined to be 15 nm. Transparent polymer nanocomposites composed of PMMA and well dispersed Eu3+:YVO4 nanocrystals were fabricated by in situ polymerization. The nanocrystalline powders and nanocomposites were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The luminescence properties of the obtained nanocomposites were investigated and compared with the starting powders and Eu3+:YVO4 single crystal. The effect of the polymeric host on the luminescence properties of Eu3+:YVO4 is presented and discussed.