Biphasic Sol–Gel Synthesis of Microstructured/Nanostructured YVO(4):Eu(3+) Materials and Their H(2)O(2) Sensing Ability

[Image: see text] Microstructured/nanostructured YVO(4):Eu(3+) powders and films were synthesized through a biphasic sol–gel method, aiming at their application as H(2)O(2) sensing materials based on the turn-off luminescence of Eu(3+) ions. The synthesis was typically carried out at temperatures of 80 °C or lower by using organic solutions to dissolve vanadium alkoxide and aqueous solutions to dissolve yttrium and europium salts together with sodium carboxylates. The resultant crystalline YVO(4):Eu(3+) powders and films were characterized as containing micrometer-sized particles comprising primary nanoparticles with high specific surface areas. A comparative study was performed on the H(2)O(2)-responsive turn-off luminescence properties for the above samples and those synthesized by a single-phase sol–gel or a conventional solid-state reaction method. The results indicated that the microstructural feature of the samples from the biphasic sol–gel method was effective for detecting H(2)O(2) through its adsorption on the particle surface and quenching of the Eu(3+) luminescence. The film samples showed repeatable and quantitative turn-off luminescence, thereby demonstrating their suitability as solid-state H(2)O(2) sensors.