A red-emitting long-afterglow phosphor of Eu3+, Ho3+ co-doped Y2O3

Y2O3:Eu3+ and Y2O3:Eu3+, Ho3+ phosphors were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the Eu3+ and/or Ho3+ doping do not show obvious effect to the cubic Y2O3 crystal. Under UV 254 nm excitation, both samples present same photoluminescence (PL) properties, while Y2O3:Eu3+, Ho3+ phosphor shows a red-emitting long afterglow phenomenon, and the Eu3+ ion are the luminescent center during the decay process. The decay characteristic of Y2O3:Eu3+, Ho3+ phosphor is according with the double exponential equation. Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis indicates that the traps in the Y2O3:Eu3+ and Y2O3:Eu3+, Ho3+ host are both origin from Eu3+ ion. The co-doped Ho3+ ion shoaled the trap depth, which is benefit for the carriers to escape from the trap, and then the afterglow phenomenon happened.