Monodisperse YVO4:Eu3+ submicrocrystals: controlled synthesis and luminescence properties

Abstract

Monodisperse YVO₄:Eu³⁺ submicrocrystals with uniform morphologies have been successfully synthesized via a facile ethylene glycol (EG) assisted hydrothermal route. The particle shape and size could be effectively manipulated by tuning the thermodynamic (e.g. temperature) and kinetic (e.g. reactant concentration, pH value) parameters. Flower-like, spherical, octahedral, and revolving door-like YVO₄:Eu³⁺ submicrocrystals were obtained by fine-tuning the pH values. The possible growth mechanism of octahedral YVO₄:Eu³⁺ submicrocrystals was presented on the basis of systematic time-dependent experiments. The luminescent spectra reveal that both the post-calcinated spherical and octahedral YVO₄:Eu³⁺ samples show a typical red emission of the Eu³⁺ ions dominated by strong 617 nm peak with dramatic difference in intensity. This difference may arise from the changes of the adsorbates, surface defects, and crystallinity. Our facile hydrothermal route may provide some new guidance in the design and controlled synthesis of inorganic nano/micromaterials.