Synthesis and luminescence studies of a novel white Dy:K3Y(VO4)2 and yellow emitting phosphor Dy,Bi:K3Y(VO4)2 with potential application in white light emitting diodes

Potassium yttrium double vanadates (K3Y(VO4)2) doped with Bi3+ or Dy3+ and codoped with Bi3+ and Dy3+ have been synthesized by solid state reactions at 1000°C for 48h and their photoluminescence properties investigated. Efficient energy transfer from the vanadate (VO43−) group or bismuth ions to the rare earth ion has been established by photoluminescence investigation upon UV excitation and results in blue and yellow emissions at 480–489nm and 572–580nm respectively. The codoping of Bi3+ and Dy3+ into K3Y(VO4)2 results in enhanced yellow emission band while the blue emission band remains relatively unchanged. The intensities of emission for the studied materials were investigated as a function of different Bi3+ and Dy3+ ion concentrations. The presented results show K3Y(VO4)2 phosphors as potential candidates W-LEDs applications. •K3Y(VO4)2 doped with Dy, Bi or codoped with Bi and Dy were synthesized via solid-state reactions.•Photoluminescence properties are investigated.•Efficient energy transfer from the vanadate (VO43−) group or bismuth ions to the rare earth ion has been established.•The codoping of Bi3+ and Dy3+ into K3Y(VO4)2 results in enhanced yellow emission band while the blue emission band remains relatively unchanged.•The results presented reveal the potential application of K3Dy0.05BixY0.95−x(VO4)2 as a yellow phosphor in white light generation.