Red emission enhancement in YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticle by changing the complexing agent in modified sol-gel route

The complexing agent modification can realize systematically the red emission enhancement of YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticle. Using sucrose, glucose, and arabic gum as complexing agents, Eu3+-doped YVO4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified sol-gel route. The crystallographic structure, morphology, and composition of samples were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is found that changing the complexing agent can be used to improve the Eu3+ emission. Structural characterizations reveal that the YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticle can be successfully prepared using the sucrose, glucose, and arabic gum complexing agent and that particle size is strongly influenced by them. As the complexing agent change, the size of the sample particles changes. Photoluminescence (PL) emission exhibit typical Eu3+ emission lines with the 5D0→7F2 transition dominating and varying with the complexing agents. •Sucrose, glucose and arabic gum as a complexing agent were used to synthesize Eu3+-doped YVO4 nanoparticle.•Structural properties of YVO4 nanoparticle in function of the different complexing agents were investigated.•Typical Eu3+ emission lines vary with the complexing agent.•It is found that changing the complexing agent can be used to improve the Eu3+ emission.