Enhancement of Luminescence of YPO4:Eu3+,Yb3+ Nanophosphor Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method

YPO4 nanowires (NWs) and nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods respectively in the absence and presence of EDTA. The Eu3+ and Yb3+ codoped YPO4 NWs and NPs prepared directly from hydrothermal systems show efficient red down-conversion luminescence (DL) and upconversion luminescence (UL) at room temperature without further annealing process. EDTA plays a critical role in controlling the morphologies of YPO4 nanocrystals in hydrothermal systems and enhances both the DL and UL intensities of Eu3+ by the factor of 100%. Monodispersed Eu3+ and Yb3+ codoped YPO4 NPs will be a new candidate for application in infrared displays and biological labels.