Preparation and Characterization of Downconversion Luminescent LaVO4: Tm3+, Yb3+and Tm3+/Yb3+Nanosheets

Tm3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+/Yb3+ doped LaVO4 nanostructures were synthesized for the first time by using the hydrothermal method with the aid of La(CH3CO2)3 as lanthanum source in presence of oleic acid as surfactant. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and UV– Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Besides, the effects of activator concentration and sensitizer on the emission intensity were investigated. The PL spectrum revealed that the emission intensity decreases with increase in the concentration of Tm3+, while adding Yb3+ as sensitizer causes the emission intensity to increase. The LaVO4: Tm3+/Yb3+ may possibly have potential application in enhancing the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by increasing the absorption of dyes.