One-pot reverse microemulsion synthesis of core–shell structured YVO4:Eu3+@SiO2 nanocomposites

•Well-dispersed YVO4:Eu3+@SiO2 nanocomposite particles with an average size of about 20 nm were synthesized.•The synthesis method is simple and of one-pot, favoring the production of this material.•These nanocomposite particles can disperse well in water to form a colloid solution and emit bright red light under UV irradiation.

Core–shell structured YVO4:Eu3+@SiO2 nanocomposite particles were synthesized using a one-pot reverse microemulsion method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV absorption spectra, and photoluminescent spectra. The nanocomposite particles are well-dispersed and about 20 nm in average size. The synthesis method is of one-pot, simplifying the preparation of this kind of core–shell structured nanocomposites. The formation process of these nanocomposite particles is suggested and the photoluminescence properties of them are studied and compared with those of uncoated YVO4:Eu3+ sample.