Shape controlled synthesis and formation mechanism of Y2(C2O4)3 and Eu3+–Y2O3 phases via hydrothermal microemulsion

The flat or truncated flat cube Y2O3 precursor powders were synthesized in a reverse microemulsion and hydrothermal. Hexadecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) and Organophosphate (OP) were used as the mixed surfactants, n-pentanol was used as assistant, and cyclohexane was used as oil phase. Y(NO3)3 and Na2C2O4 solution were used as the water-phrase and starting materials. The resulting products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), d thermogravimetric – differential scanning calorimetry (TG–DSC), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results show that the monoclinic rod-like Y2(C2O4)3 have been obtained via hydrothermal microemulsion and the sizes of the particles were diameters of 100 nm and lengths up to about 1–2 μm. The precursor calcined products were doped with Eu3+, and the prepared phosphors showed well-defined red luminescence due to radiative transitions from 5D0 to 7FJ (J=1, 2) levels of Eu3+ ions. Furthermore, We reported Eu3+–Y2O3 phases represented a new class of optically active materials.