Combustion synthesis and photoluminescence of Eu3+, Dy3+-doped La2Zr2O7 nanocrystals

A facile and energy saving sol–gel combustion method has been used to prepare La2Zr2O7 nanocrystallines. The pyrochlore La2Zr2O7 nanocrystals have been obtained at a relatively low temperature with the grain size ranging from 45 to 70 nm. Eu3+ and Dy3+ have been introduced into the La2Zr2O7 crystal structure, respectively, and the intense photoluminescence was observed. The relative intensity of electric dipole transition and magnetic dipole transition is considered for luminescence emission both of Eu3+ and Dy3+. The dependence of luminescence intensity on dopant concentration and the effect of Dy3+ co-doping on Eu3+ luminescence are also discussed.