Synthesis and characterization of core–shell SiO2@(Er3+,Yb3+):Lu2O3

We synthesized crystalline Erbium Er3+ and Ytterbium Yb3+ codoped -Lu2O3 nanolayers on SiO2 microspheres using the modified Pechini method. Two different kinds of precursors, nitrates and chlorides, have been used leading to a layer-to-layer morphology and necklaces structures, respectively. In both cases, the size of nanocrystallites constituting the optical active layer is around 5 nm. We performed X-ray powder diffraction to confirm the cubic crystalline structure of the sesquioxides layer. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses corroborate the crystalline nature of the layer. The optical emission of Er3+ in the visible range has been recorded.

► SiO2@(Er3+,Yb3+):Lu2O3 core–shell particles by Pechini method.
► Nanocrystalline shells with different morphologies from two different precursors.
► Green and red luminescence were observed under excitation of 514 nm and 633 nm.