Eu3+‐Activated Gd8V2O17: Energy Transfer, Luminescence, and Temperature‐Dependence Characteristics

A new phosphor of the type Gd8(1−x)Eu8 xV2O17 (x=0–1.0) was synthesized through the solid‐state reaction ceramics method. A pure phase formation was verified by using X‐ray powder diffraction measurements. The luminescence of Gd8V2O17:Eu3+ was investigated through optical and laser excitation spectroscopy. The luminescence curves were investigated in the temperature region 10 to 300 K. Gd8V2O17 shows a self‐activated luminescence under excitation with UV‐ and near‐UV light. The spectra, the decay lifetimes, and the thermal stability of Gd8(1−x)Eu8 xV2O17 (x=0.005–1.0) strongly depend on both the Eu3+ concentration and the temperature. The tunable luminescence is realized by controlling the Eu3+‐doping level to adjust the host energy‐transfer efficiency from the VO43− groups to the Eu3+ activators. At low Eu3+ concentrations (<30 mol %), the intensity and lifetime show an unusual change with an increase of the temperature from 10–300 K, that is, the luminescence experiences a straightforward enhancement. The energy transfer from the VO43− group to the Eu3+ ions could be accelerated with an increase of the temperature resulting in an unusual enhancement of the Eu3+ luminescence and lifetime. However, the emission of the Eu3+ ions decreased for highly Eu‐doped samples (>30 mol %) with an increase of the temperature. The luminescence mechanism was discussed on the basis of the charge‐transfer band of the Eu3+ ions, the doping concentration, and the proposed microstructures in the lattices.