Rational design of Bi3+/Ln3+:GdVO4 (Ln = Eu, Sm, Dy, Ho) nanophosphor: Synthesis, characterization and color-tunable property

Abstract Novel rod-like Bi3+/Ln3+:GdVO4 phosphor have been successfully fabricated via a mixed solvothermal route. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma and spectrofluorimeter equipments are used to characterize the samples. By introducing Bi3+ into Ln3+:GdVO4, efficient energy transfer occurs from Bi3+–V5+ charge transfer state to Ln3+, these phosphors can efficiently absorb near-ultraviolet light through the Bi3+–V5+ metal–metal couple charge transfer and exhibit intense multifarious luminescent colors by modulating the doping content of Ln3+ ions. Therefore they have potential applications in color display field.