Preparation, microstructure and crystal structure studies of Li+ co-doped YPO4:Eu3+

Rod-like shape particles of tetragonal phase Li+ co-doped YPO4:Eu samples are prepared by using a polyol method at low temperature (∼100–120 °C for 1 h). Li+ co-doping enhances the crystalline nature of the sample and reduces the agglomeration among the particles. The shift in the reflection peaks of the tetragonal phase to the lower 2θ angle in the X-ray diffraction pattern indicates the occupancy of Li+ ions in the interstitial sites of the host lattice. The point group symmetry of Y3+/Eu3+ in YPO4 is demonstrated in simple representation.