Facile synthesis of highly uniform octahedral LuVO4microcrystals by a facile chemical conversion methodElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: XRD pattern and SEM images of the LuVO4sample prepared by using Lu(NO3)3and Na3VO4·12H2O as reacting agent in one step. Excitation and emission spectra of octahedral LuVO4 : Eu3+and emission spectrum of commercial YVO4 : Eu3+phosphor. Decay curves for the as-prepared LuVO4 : Ln3+samples. See DOI: 10.1039/b911499h

Uniform octahedral LuVO4microcrystals have been successfully prepared through a designed two-step hydrothermal method. One-dimensional lutetium precursor was first prepared through a simple hydrothermal route. Subsequently, a well-shaped octahedral LuVO4sample was synthesized at the expense of the wirelike precursors during the hydrothermal process. The whole process in this method was carried out in aqueous conditions without the use of any organic solvents, surfactant, or catalyst. The conversion process from nanowire precursor to octahedral product has been investigated in detail. The LuVO4 : Ln3+(Ln = Eu, Dy, Sm, and Er) phosphors show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet light excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation. Furthermore, this general and facile method may be of much significance in the synthesis of many other lanthanide compounds with polyhedral morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]