Structural characterisation and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy of nanocrystalline X2-Lu2SiO5:Pr3+ powders

► Nanopowders of X2-Lu2SiO5:Pr3+ were prepared by the sol-gel route. ► The nanoparticles have revealed an oval shape with average dimensions of 35 × 44 nm. ► Efficient and fast energy transfer from host to the Pr3+ 5d states was observed. ► Short Pr3+ 5d-4f decay times were observed upon both direct and band-gap excitation. ► A significant temperature dependence of the decay times was evidenced, different from the corresponding single crystal.