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 solgel 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.