Preparation and luminescence properties of Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers by sol–gel/electrospinning process

One-dimensional Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers have been prepared by a combination method of sol–gel process and electrospinning technology. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra were used to characterize the samples. The XRD, FT-IR and TG–DTA results show that Lu2O3:Eu3+ samples crystallize at 900 °C. SEM images indicate that as prepared precursor samples and those annealed at 900 °C present uniform fiberlike morphology. After being heated at 900 °C, the diameters of fibers decrease greatly, ranging from 90 to 180 nm. TEM image further manifests that the as-formed Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers consist of nanoparticles (the crystallite size is about 16.5 nm). Under the short wavelength ultraviolet irradiation and the low-voltage electron beam excitation, Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers all exhibit typical red (5D0–7FJ) emission. The optimum doping concentration of Eu3+ in the Lu2O3 nanofibers also has been investigated.

One-dimensional Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers have been prepared by a combination method of sol–gel process and electrospinning. The as-formed precursor samples present uniform fiberlike morphology. After annealing the precursors at 900 °C, the Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers are uniform with diameters ranging from 90 to 180 nm. Under ultraviolet excitation and the low-voltage electron beam excitation, Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers all exhibit typical red (612 nm) emission corresponding to 5D0–7F2 transition of Eu3+.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (101 K)Download as PowerPoint slide