Variable Emission Changes in Bi3+/Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Sm, Dy) Co-doped Lutetium Vanadates (LuVO4)

High-purity LuVO 4 : Ln 3+ /Bi 3+ (Ln = Eu, Sm, Dy) phosphors with tetragonal zircon structures were successfully synthesized. The reactions have been carried out by multiple irradiations with very high efficiency. Transmission electron microscope images showed that the phosphors had rod-like structures with average lengths of about 200 nm. The host absorption edge of LuVO 4 : Ln 3+ /Bi 3+ (Ln = Eu, Sm) shifted to the longer wavelength side. Furthermore, the red emission of Eu 3+ ion and the orange emission of Sm 3+ ion are remarkably enhanced by encapsulating Bi 3+ in LuVO 4 system, whereas in the case of LuVO 4 : Dy 3+ /Bi 3+ , the host absorption and the yellow emission from dysprosium have been suppressed in the presence of Bi 3+ . These novel findings will facilitate their use in the display field.