Luminescent properties of nano-sized Y2O3:Eu fabricated by co-precipitation method

Nano-sized yttria (Y2O3) powders were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the powders were well crystallized and the grains were almost spherical with good dispersibility. The relationship between optical properties and the content of Eu3+ and Li+ ions was studied. The quenching concentration of Eu3+ ions is 9 mol% which is much higher than the micro-scaled powders. The results also showed that the incorporation of Li+ ions can greatly improve the luminescence intensity. The highest emission intensity was observed with 4 mol% Li+ doped Y2O3:Eu powder ((Y0.87Eu0.09Li0.04)2O3) and the fluorescence intensity was increased by as much as 79%.