YVO4Eu3

YVO4:Eu3+ (yttrium orthovanadate doped with europium(III)) is an inorganic luminescent phosphor commonly used in display technology and lighting. In this material, europium ions (Eu3+) substitute for yttrium ions (Y3+) in the host lattice, which has a tetragonal zircon-type structure. The vanadate groups (VO4)3− in the crystal act as sensitizers that absorb ultraviolet light and transfer energy efficiently to the Eu3+ activator, enhancing red emission.

Optical properties are dominated by the Eu3+ activator, with strong red luminescence arising from the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+. Emission is typically centered around 612–617 nm, giving a characteristic bright red color. The excitation can be broad in the UV region due to the VO43− groups, enabling excitation by common UV or near-UV LEDs or lamps. Emission intensity depends on Eu3+ concentration, with an optimum dopant level that balances absorption and concentration quenching.

Synthesis methods for YVO4:Eu3+ include solid-state reactions, sol–gel, co-precipitation, and hydrothermal routes. Precursors such as Y2O3, Eu2O3, and NH4VO3 or V2O5 are calcined at high temperatures (typically 700–1100 °C) to form the crystalline phosphor. The material can be produced as bulk powders or as nanocrystals and can be doped with additional ions to modify properties.

Applications include red-emitting phosphors for color displays, white LEDs via down-conversion, scintillators, and, in some cases, bioimaging probes using nanoparticle forms. YVO4:Eu3+ is valued for chemical stability, relatively high quantum efficiency when optimized, and its well-defined Eu3+ emission.