Bio-inspired synthesis of Y2O3: Eu3+ red nanophosphor for eco-friendly photocatalysis

• Eco-friendly route is developed to synthesis Y2O3: Eu3+ NPs using Aloe Vera gel.
• The synthesized NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM, UV–Visible and PL techniques.
• Y2O3: Eu3+ red nanophosphor can be potential candidate in warm white LEDs.
• Y2O3: Eu3+ (1 mol%) exhibits superior photocatalytic activity.

We report the synthesis of Y2O3: Eu3+ (1–11 mol%) nanoparticles (NPs) with different morphologies via eco-friendly, inexpensive and simple low temperature solution combustion method using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The formation of different morphologies of Y2O3: Eu3+ NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, UV–Visible and PL techniques. The PXRD data and Rietveld analysis confirms the formation of single phase Y2O3 with cubic crystal structure. The influence of Eu3+ ion concentration on the morphology, UV–Visible absorption, PL emission and photocatalytic activity of Y2O3: Eu3+ nanostructures were investigated. Y2O3: Eu3+ NPs exhibit intense red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.50, 0.47) and correlated color temperature values at different excitation ranges from 1868 to 2600 K. The control of Eu3+ ion on Y2O3 matrix influences the photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue (MB) as a model compound was evaluated under UVA light. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of conical shaped Y2O3: Eu3+ (1 mol%) was attributed to dopant concentration, crystallite size, textural properties and capability of reducing the electron–hole pair recombination. The trend of inhibitory effect in the presence of different radical scavengers followed the order SO42− > Cl− > C2H5OH > HCO3− > CO32−. These findings show great promise of Y2O3: Eu3+ NPs as a red phosphor in warm white LEDs as well as eco-friendly heterogeneous photocatalysis.

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