Synthesis and structural investigation of the Eu1–xBixVO4scheelite phase: X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and Eu3+luminescence

A previous investigation of EuVO4–BtVO4 binary system has indicated the existence of a solid-solution of Eu1–xBixVO4 up to x= 0.60, with a zircon-type structure. In this work we have reinvestigated the synthesis conditions, thus extending the upper limit to x= 0.74. X-Ray diffraction techniques associated with Raman and luminescence spectroscopies have led to the unambiguous identification of the structural type as a scheelite model.