Combustion synthesis and enhanced 1.5 μm emission in Y2O3:Er3+ powders codoped with La3+ ions

Er3+ and La3+ codoped Y2O3 nanocrystalline powders were synthesized by gel combustion method and characterized with thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) techniques and fluorescence spectroscopy. After being calcined at 1200 °C, the (Y1-xLax)2O3:Er3+ powders were confirmed to be cubic Y2O3 phase with the crystalline grain size in the range of 20-40 nm. The Er3+ emission at 1.53 μm from the 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition was observed, which was found to be enhanced by introducing La3+ ions. Such enhancement could be attributed to the adjustment of Er3+ ions' local environment by the codoping of La3+ ions, leading to the increased ground state absorption cross section of Er3+ ions.

Graphical AbstractNIR emission spectra of (Er0.02Y0.98-xLax)2O3 powders with different concentrations of La3+ (Inset shows the integral intensity of 1.5 μm emission as a function of La3+ ions)Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide