Improved luminescence from Y2Sn2O7:Tb3+ nanoparticles co-doped with Sb3+ ions

► Tb3+ doped Y2Sn2O7 nanoparticles having size in the range of 3-5 nm were prepared based on polyol method followed by heating at 700 °C. ► Undoped Y2Sn2O7 nanoparticles are characterised by a host emission around 435 nm. ► Codoping the Y2Sn2O7:Tb3+ nanoparticles with Sb3+ leads to significant improvement in Tb3+ emission, and this has been attributed to the distortion around the local environment of Tb3+ ion brought about by Sb3+ substitution in the lattice.