ABSTRACT
We report the synthesis of a Y3TaO7 solid solution containing a high Eu3+ concentration (from 7 up to 50 mol%) and investigate how Eu3+ influences the Y3TaO7 crystallization process. To this end, we evaluate the Y3TaO7 structural features and photoluminescence properties after Eu3+ introduction into the Y3TaO7 lattice. The higher the Eu3+ ion concentration, the more stable the crystallization process of the Y3TaO7 phase seems to be. The Eu3+-containing Y3TaO7 displays intense orange-reddish, broad band emission because Eu3+ occupies different symmetry sites in the host and causes inhomogeneous broadening. Eu3+ emission quenching due to Eu3+ concentration is negligible up to 30 mol% and absolute quantum yield values of up to nearly 30% were obtained, making Eu3+-containing Y3TaO7 interesting materials for application as high-intensity emitters in photonics.
