Sol-gel synthesis and luminescent properties of red-emitting Y(P,V)O4:Eu(3+) phosphors

Eu(3+)-activated Y(P,V)O4 phosphors were prepared by the EDTA sol-gel method, and the corresponding morphologies and luminescent properties were investigated. The sample particles were relatively spheroid with size of 2-3 µm and had a smooth surface. The excitation spectra for Y(P,V)O4:Eu(3+) consisted of three strong excitation bands in the 200-350 nm range, which were attributed to a Eu(3+)- O(2-) charge-transfer band and (1)A1-(1) T1/(1) T2 transitions in VO4(3-). The as-synthesized phosphors exhibited a highly efficient red luminescence at 613 nm due to the Eu(3+5) D0-(7) F2 electric dipole transition. With the increase in the V(5+)/P(5+) ratio, the luminescence intensity of the red phosphor under UV excitation was greatly improved due to enhanced VO4(3-) → Eu(3+) energy transfer.