The size effect on the energy transfer in Bi3+-Eu3+ co-doped GdVO4 nanocrystalsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6tc04660f

Nanocrystals of GdVO 4 co-doped with various concentrations of Bi 3+ and a constant concentration of Eu 3+ ions (5 mol%) were synthesized by Pechini's method and annealed in the range of temperature from 750 °C to 900 °C in order to obtain different sizes of individual crystallites. Upon the excitation of near-UV light, an intense red/orange-red luminescence of Eu 3+ was observed. Shifting of the maximum and broadening of the excitation band with increasing Bi 3+ concentration were also observed. In particular, the influence of the size effect on the energy transfer in the chain: (O 2− -V 5+ ) charge transfer → (Bi 3+ -V 5+ ) charge transfer → Eu 3+ ions was determined and analysed. Nanocrystals of GdVO 4 co-doped with various concentrations of Bi 3+ and a constant concentration of Eu 3+ ions (5 mol%) were synthesized by Pechini's method and annealed in the range of temperature from 750 °C to 900 °C in order to obtain different sizes of individual crystallites.