Sol–gel combustion synthesis and luminescence of Y4Al2O9:Eu3+ nanocrystal

Y4Al2O9:Eu3+ phosphor was synthesized through a sol–gel combustion method. The Y4Al2O9 phase can form through sintering at 800 °C. This temperature is much lower than that required via the solid state reaction method. The average grain size of the phosphor was about 30 nm. Compared with the amorphous phosphor, the charge transfer band of crystalline phosphor shows a blue shift. The emission of Y4Al2O9:Eu3+ indicates the existence of two luminescent centers, in agreement with the crystal structure of Y4Al2O9. Higher doping concentration could be realized in Y4Al2O9 nanocrystal host lattice. This indicates that the sol–gel combustion synthesis method can increase emission intensity and quenching concentration due to a good distribution of Eu3+ activators in Y4Al2O9 host.