Tunable luminescence thermal stability in YVxAs1−xO4:Eu3+ through the introduction of As5+ ions for remote temperature sensing applications

Abstract

Thermal nonradiative depopulation processes of excited levels significantly influence the potential application of phosphors. The high efficiency of thermal quenching of luminescence can limit a phosphor's potential applications as well as reduce the temperature range in which such a material can be used. This work presents a new strategy of shifting of usable temperature range of luminescent thermometer based on Eu³⁺ ion emission that the molar ratio of (AsO₄)³⁻ in respect to (VO₄)³⁻ increases in YV_xAs_1−xO₄ host material. Consequently, the thermometric performance of the luminescence thermometer based on the single band intensity ratio corresponding to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ of Eu³⁺ ions upon optical excitations matching to the ¹A₂(¹T₁) → ¹B₁(¹T₂) and ¹E(¹T₁) → ¹B₁(¹T₂) electronic transition of (VO₄)³⁻ group can be optimized. As shown, the use of YV_0.25As_0.75O₄:Eu³⁺ has an extended usable temperature range in respect to YVO₄:Eu³⁺. This improvement, coupled with its high sensitivity (>1% K⁻¹) make YV_0.25As_0.75O₄:Eu³⁺ a more stable material for luminescence thermometer applications. The presented strategy for modulating the thermal properties of luminescent thermometers through the introduction of the (AsO₄)³⁻ groups is a step towards designing thermometers with on-demand thermometric performance.