Preparation of transparent red-emitting layer using hydrothermally synthesized YVO4:Eu3+ nanophosphors

•Nano-scaled red-emitting YVO4:Eu3+ phosphors were prepared by hydrothermal method.•The optimum EG/DI volume ratio for high luminance and transparency was 8/2.•The panels were formed by a screen printing technique with outstanding transparency.•Upon plasma discharge, the stable red emission of the transparent panels was observed.

Nano-scaled red-emitting YVO4:0.05Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized by ethylene glycol-assisted hydrothermal method followed by annealing process. The effects of annealing process on the crystalline phase, particle morphology and emission properties were investigated. The prepared YVO4 nanophosphors showed strong red luminescence, based on the 5D0–7F2 transition of Eu3+ ion, under 147 nm excitation. From the Eu3+-doped YVO4 nanophosphors, the transparent layers were formed onto a glass substrate by a screen printing technique. All the phosphor layers formed with multiple coating exhibited an outstanding visible transparency. The mini-sized transparent plasma-discharge panels were fabricated using the nanophosphor layers deposited by screen printing and their luminance characteristics investigated.

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