Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of LaVO4:RE3+ (RE = Sm, Eu, Tb, Tm) Phosphors

Rare earth (RE)-doped lanthanide vanadate phosphors for multicolor display applications were synthesized with different activator ions by using a solid-state reaction method. The effects of activator ions on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of lanthanide vanadate phosphors were investigated. X-ray diffaction data exhibited that the main peak of the phosphors occurs at a (120) plane. Maximum grain size and hexagonal morphology are observed by incorporating Eu3+ activator ions into a host lattice. The emission spectra of RE ions-doped LaVO4 phosphors under excitation at 324 nm consist of multicolor emissions: the main red emission for Eu3+, orange for Tm3+, green for Tb3+, and blue for Tm3+ activator ions. These results suggest that the multicolor emissions can be realized by controlling activator ions incorporated into host crystals.