Optical investigation of Y2O3:Sm3+ nanophosphor prepared by combustion and Pechini methods

Nanoparticles of trivalent samarium ion doped into yttrium oxide with attractive photoluminescent properties were prepared using combustion and Pechini methods treated at low heating temperatures. Combustion technique focused on an exothermic reaction between metal nitrates and glycine as fuel leading to the desired product where Y2O3:Sm3+ nanophosphor was heated at 400, 500 and 600∘C. For Pechini method, which is based upon in situ polyesterification between citric acid and ethylene glycol, the phosphor material was treated only at 600∘C. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. Photoluminescent study of Y2O3:Sm3+ system showed the characteristic emission narrow lines containing (J+1/2)-manifolds of intraconfigurational G5/24→HJ6 transitions (J=52,72,92 and 112) of Sm3+ ion with the G5/24→H7/26 transition (λ=609nm) as a prominent intensity, when excitation was monitored at 406 nm (H5/26→K11/24). The luminescence decay curves suggest a mono-exponential behavior.