Luminescence properties of YVO4:Eu nanocrystals in nanoporous high-silica glass

A feasible method was used to synthesize YVO4:Eu nanocrystals in nanoporous high-silica glass (YVOE-HSG). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to investigate its morphology, structure, and optical properties, respectively. The Eu ions were introduced as luminescence centers into the sample YVOE-HSG. Under 291 nm excitation, the samples exhibit the characteristic transitions of Eu3+ and Eu2+. With the increase of Eu3+ doping concentration, the positions of main excitation peaks shift to long waves. The reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ is observed, and the chromaticity coordinates (x, y) can move from the red light to cool white and then to blue light. The efficient energy transfer from VO43− to Eu3+ and Eu2+ is confirmed. Results indicated that the sample has potential application in white light-emitting diodes under UV excitation.