Photoluminescence properties of nano-sized (Lu1-xYx)PO4:Pr3+ (x = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 at. %) phosphor powders

Abstract Herein we present the enhancement of photoluminescence properties of nano-sized LuPO4:Pr3+ phosphor powders synthesized by sol gel process with incorporation of yttrium ions inside of this single matrix to obtain (Lu1-xYx)PO4:Pr3+ (x = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 at. %) powders. Under UV excitation at 270 nm the emission spectra of LuPO4:Pr3+ nanopowder do not present any characteristics emission band attributed to 4f15d1→4f2 transitions of Pr3+ ions, while a large emission band has been observed which due to defects created in LuPO4 cell by doping considering the ionic radius of Pr3+ is larger compared to the ionic radius of Lu3+, this band extinguishes gradually at the time insertion of the Y3+ ions until its total disappearance (for x = 40 at. %).It was found that the emission spectra of (Lu1-xYx)PO4:Pr3+ nanopowders under λex = 230 nm presents only the characteristics emission bands of Pr3+ ions with a remarkable influence of the rate of Y3+ ions on the intensity of this bands. Furthermore, it was observed that the improvement in the luminescence properties of (Lu1-xYx)PO4:Pr3+ nanopowders is very remarkable in visible range.