Rapid fabrication of luminescent Eu : YVO4 films by microwave-assisted chemical solution deposition

We have extended the chemical bath deposition technique modified by microwave irradiation to rapidly deposit ternary oxide Eu:YVO4 thin films. The obtained films are dense, adherent, and mirror-like. Structure (XRD), morphological (TEM), and optical (UV-vis-NIR and PL) characterizations of the films are presented. The results indicate that the deposited Eu:YVO4 films with (002) preferential orientation consisted of nano-size grains and had strong emission under UV excitation. The kinetic mechanism of this novel solution processing has been investigated.