Synthesis of YVO4:Eu3+/YBO3 Heteronanostructures with Enhanced Photoluminescence Properties

Novel YVO4:Eu3+/YBO3 core/shell heteronanostructures with different shell ratios (SRs) were successfully prepared by a facile two-step method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the heteronanostructures. Photoluminescence (PL) study reveals that PL efficiency of the YVO4:Eu3+ nanocrystals (cores) can be improved by the growth of YBO3 nanocoatings onto the cores to form the YVO4:Eu3+/YBO3 core/shell heteronanostructures. Furthermore, shell ratio plays a critical role in their PL efficiency. The heteronanostructures (SR = 1/7) exhibit the highest PL efficiency; its PL intensity of the D-5(0)-F-7(2) emission at 620 nm is 27% higher than that of the YVO4:Eu3+ nanocrystals under the same conditions.