Luminescence studies of europium doped yttrium oxide nano phosphor

► Y2O3:Eu3+ nanophosphor has been synthesized by the combustion technique. ► PXRD pattern of Y2O3:Eu3+ samples confirms the cubic phase. ► The energy gap of Y2O3:Eu3+ was found to be 5.4-5.5 eV. ► PL emission peak centered at ∼611 nm is due to 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+ ions. ► The two luminescence centers at 460 K and 610 K glow peaks were calculated.