Luminescence properties of Y2O3:Bi3+, Ln3+ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Dy, Er, Ho) and the sensitization of Ln3+ by Bi3+

► Photoluminescence of Y2O3 doped with Sm, Eu, Dy, Er, Ho and/or Bi was reported. ► Energy transfer from Bi to Sm, Eu, Dy, Er and Ho was discussed. ► Lanthanides with lower reduction potentials greatly quench Bi3+ emission.