Effect of Zn2+ and Li+ codoping ions on nanosized Gd2O3:Eu3+ phosphor

Nanosized Gd1.92−x−yZnxLiyEu0.08O3−δ phosphor was fabricated by combustion synthesis. The effect of Zn2+ and Li+ ions on the crystallization behavior, morphology, and luminescence property of Gd2O3:Eu3+ was investigated. The results indicated that incorporation of Zn2+ and Li+ ions into Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanoparticles (NPs) could lead to a remarkable increase of photoluminescence or X-ray excited luminescence, and the intensity at 612 nm was increased by a factor of 7.1 or 21.5 in comparison with that of undoped sample. The enhanced luminescence was regarded as the results of the creation of oxygen vacancies due to the Gd3+ sites occupied by Li+ ions, the alteration of the crystal field surrounding the activator Eu3+ ions owing to the incorporation Zn2+ ions into interstitial sites, and the flux effect of Zn2+ and Li+ ions. The Zn- and Li-codoped Gd2O3:Eu3+ phosphor with highly enhanced luminescence is very encouraging for applications in high-resolution display devices.