Synthesis and luminescence properties of YVO4: Nd3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ nanoparticles

Abstract In this work we report on YVO4 nanocrystalline powders doped with individual ions Nd3+, Er3+ and Tm3+, and their combination. Modified Pechini method allowed obtaining weakly agglomerated single phase nanoparticles with average size of 50 nm. Luminescence properties of single and triply doped YVO4 nanoparticles were studied under selective excitation via individual ions and combined excitation via host material. The obtained results demonstrated intra-centers energy transfer processes for the selective excitation, and set of luminescence bands corresponding to all lanthanides under host excitation in the triply doped system.