Preparation and luminescent properties of Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanofibres made by electrospinning

Eu3+-doped Gd2O3 (Gd2O3:Eu3+) nanofibres were prepared by a simple electrospinning technique by using poly-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and rare-earth nitrate (Ln(NO3)3 (Ln=Gd, Eu)) as precursors. Their crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties have been characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The nanofibres were size-controllable with diameters of 50-150 nm and were composed of a pure cubic Gd2O3 phase. Besides, the luminescent properties of the nanofibres were investigated. The luminescent intensity and fluorescence lifetimes of Eu3+ in the Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanofibres increased with Eu3+ concentration or fibre diameter. Meanwhile, the temperature quenching effect was also analysed. The emission intensity of Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanofibres at 400 °C was about 50% of the initial value at room temperature.