Synthesis and optical properties of Y2Mo4O15 doped by Pr3+

A set of Y2Mo4O15 compounds doped with 0.1-30% Pr3+ was synthesized by conventional high temperature solid state synthesis. The structural, morphological and optical characteristics of the compounds were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, thermal quenching (TQ), photoluminescence (PL) and fluorescence lifetime techniques. It turned out that Pr3+ emission spectra are very sensitive to the concentration and temperature in the Y2Mo4O15 host matrix. Samples showed mainly red and deep red luminescence when excited with blue radiation. A severe concentration quenching was observed in samples with higher Pr3+ content due to cross relaxation. Y2Mo4O15:Pr3+ luminescent materials possess rather unique emission spectra, which can be tuned by adopting the appropriate Pr3+ concentration and/or temperature. Thus these materials could be used as luminescent security markers where such properties are desirable.