Magnetic and luminescent properties of Fe/Fe3O4@Y2O3:Eu nanocomposites

Multifunctional nanocomposites with Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles as the core and europium-doped yttrium oxide (Y2O3:Eu) as the shell (Fe/Fe3O4@Y2O3:Eu) have been obtained successfully employing a solvothermal method. The nanocomposites showed both ferrimagnetic behavior and unique europium fluorescence properties with high emission intensity. The spectra changes induced by the UV light irradiation and the magnetic field have been systematically studied and compared in detail. The relationship between fluorescence and magnetic properties of the multifunctional nanocomposites has been investigated in our manuscript. These multifunctional nanocomposites could be used in a number of biomedical applications, such as drug targeting, cell separation and bioimaging.

► We synthesize multifunctional Fe/Fe3O4@Y2O3:Eu nanocomposites.
► The luminescent and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites are researched.
► The nanocomposites showed both ferrimagnetic behavior and unique europium fluorescence properties with high emission intensity.
► The spectra changes induced by the UV light irradiation and the magnetic field have been systematically studied and compared in detail.
► And the hysteresis curve changes induced by the UV light irradiation have been discussed.