Influence of surface segregation on the luminescence properties of doped YVO4 nanocrystals

► The segregation of doped ions in doped YVO4 nanocrystals was detected. ► Redistribution of doped ions leads to change of nanocrystals luminescence spectra. ► Observed effect can be used as an effective tool to tune the cooperative processes. For the first time the segregation of doped ions in YVO4:Pr3+ and YVO4:Er3+,Yb3+ nanocrystals was revealed by means of spectroscopic techniques. Luminescence spectra are modified due to doped ions redistribution within nanocrystal volume. Variation of heat treatment temperature allows us to determine the diffusion-depended nature of observed doped ions redistribution within the volume of nanocrystal and to trace this process.