Luminescent properties of PEG-added nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu phosphor prepared by a hydrothermal method

In an effort to obtain enhanced luminescence under photoexcitation as well as to clarify the underlying correlation between non-radiative sites and a surface modifier in a nanoscale phosphor, YVO₄:Eu³⁺ was synthesized via a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-assisted hydrothermal process. The temperature variable photoluminescence reveals that the overall emission behaviors of PEG-added YVO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor was similar to those of a post-annealed sample without PEG addition. This polymeric agent induces a rough thin layer onto the YVO₄:Eu³⁺ nanoparticle during synthetic procedure, resulting in the prevention of surface-adsorbed species known as non-radiative sites such as NH₄⁺ as well as hydroxyl groups.