Synthesis and spectral characterization of yttrium oxide nano-powders doped with Nd3+ ions with a large range of concentrations

• The Y2O3 nano-powders doped with Nd3+ ions have been synthesized using the thermal decomposition method.
• The samples have been characterized structurally by performing both the XRD and SEM measurements.
• The continuous emission spectra and decay time measurements of the samples performed.
• The effect of the concentration, powder size and the temperature on the luminescence properties have been studied.

The introduction of Nd3+ dopants in yttrium oxide nano-powders at concentrations as high as 10% has motivated the study of their emission as function of concentration. We have studied the luminescence of these systems as function of temperature, particle size, and concentration of Nd3+ and we report on the trends that we have been able to establish.