Preparation and properties of multifunctional Fe@C@Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites

► Multifunctional Fe/Fe3O4@Y2O3: Eu nanocomposites were prepared by a solvothermal method. ► Their structure, magnetic and luminescent properties were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, excitation and emission spectra and vibration sample magnetometry (VSM). ► It is shown that the nanocomposites exhibit high saturation magnetization and strong red emission under UV-light.