Synthesis and luminescence properties of La2Ti2O7:Er3+ nanocrystals with pyrochlore structure

► This is the first time that Er3+ doped La2Ti2O7 nanocrystals with pyrochlore structure was fabricated by sol-gel method. ► An intense green emission along with a red emission was observed under the excitation of 980 nm. ► The optimal annealing temperature was 1000 °C and appropriate doping concentration was 13 at.% Er3+. ► Power dependence analysis revealed that the green and red emissions originated from a two-photon absorption process.