One-dimensional GdVO 4: Ln3+ ( Ln=Eu, Dy, Sm) nanofibers: Electrospinning preparation and luminescence properties

Abstract

One-dimensional GdVO 4: Ln 3+ ( Ln=Eu, Dy, Sm) nanofibers have been prepared by a combination method of sol–gel process and electrospinning technology. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), quantum efficiency (QE), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The XRD, FT-IR, and TG-DTA results show that GdVO 4: Ln 3+ nanofibers samples crystallize at 700 °C. SEM images indicate that the as prepared precursor fibers are smooth. After being calcined at 700 °C for 4 h, the fibers still maintain their fiberlike morphology with rough surface. TEM image further manifests that the GdVO 4: Ln 3+ nanofibers consist of nanoparticles. Under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beam excitation, GdVO 4: Ln 3+ phosphors showed their strong characteristic emission due to an efficient energy transfer from vanadate groups to dopants. The optimum doping concentration of Ln 3+ in the GdVO 4 nanofibers also has been investigated.