Influence of Bi3+ ions on the excitation wavelength of the YVO4:Eu3+ matrix

Abstract This work used the non-hydrolytic sol–gel process to prepare co-activated Eu 3+ /Bi 3+ in YVO 4 phosphors. We employed X-ray diffraction, which confirmed a tetragonal structure, and photoluminescence to characterize the structure and investigate the photoluminescence properties of the YVO 4 :Eu 3+ ,Bi 3+ matrixes. The large band between 250 and 380 nm in the excitation spectrum of YVO 4 :Eu 3+ ,Bi 3+ corresponded to a ligand-metal charge transfer band (VO 4 3− → Eu 3+ ). Addition of Bi 3+ ions increased the charge transfer band and intensified the emission of Eu 3+ ions. The x and y color coordinates of the phosphors ranged from 0.60 to 0.68 and from 0.32 to 0.39, respectively. The emission spectrum displayed an intense red emission centered at 618.5 nm, due to the 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 transition of Eu 3+ . The optimal Bi 3+ concentration in the phosphor was 1% in mol, which provided more intense emission and longer lifetime. The results indicated that YVO 4 :Eu 3+ ,Bi 3+ is a potential red phosphor with application as biological marker.