Synthesis and spectral characterization of yttrium oxide nano-powders doped with Nd3+ ions with a large range of concentrations

•The Y2O3 nano-powders doped with Nd3+ ions have been synthesized using the thermal decomposition method.•The samples have been characterized structurally by performing both the XRD and SEM measurements.•The continuous emission spectra and decay time measurements of the samples performed.•The effect of the concentration, powder size and the temperature on the luminescence properties have been studied.

The introduction of Nd3+ dopants in yttrium oxide nano-powders at concentrations as high as 10% has motivated the study of their emission as function of concentration. We have studied the luminescence of these systems as function of temperature, particle size, and concentration of Nd3+ and we report on the trends that we have been able to establish.