Preparation and characterization of Gd2O3:Eu3+ rods by surfactant assemblies—microwave heating

Gd2O3:Eu3+ rods were successfully obtained by microwave heating the as-prepared substance, which templated by surfactant assemblies of gadolinium hydroxide and europium hydroxide, formed in a reaction between Gd(NO3)3–Eu(NO3)3 and urea. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations indicated that the synthesized rods with an averaging diameter of 100–150 nm and agglomerates slightly. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the resultant rods were cubic Gd2O3. The luminescent of Gd2O3:Eu3+ rods were investigated by photoluminescence (PL). Upon excitation with 257 and 277 nm, respectively, Gd2O3:Eu3+ rods show a strong red emission line at around 611 nm. Furthermore, this novel method required a very short heating time, thus reducing the energy consumption.