Effect of micro-/mesoporous structures on H₂O₂ sensing ability of YVO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor particles

Abstract

YVO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor particles are proposed as an H₂O₂ sensing material based on their turn-off luminescence. The YVO₄:Eu³⁺ particles having various surface microstructures were synthesized through liquid processes and their H₂O₂ sensing ability was evaluated by immersing them in an aqueous H₂O₂ solution with a constant volume at a fixed concentration. The microstructures were characterized in detail not only by electron microscopy but also by nitrogen adsorption to elucidate factors governing the H₂O₂ sensing ability. It was then indicated that micro-/mesoporous structures, which were introduced in the micrometer-scaled spherical particles during their synthesis by a biphasic sol–gel method, were a decisive factor for achieving the effective H₂O₂ sensing. The YVO₄:Eu³⁺ particles synthesized under the improved condition could show a 37% decrease of luminescence intensity after the H₂O₂ treatment.