Tailoring the particle size from μm→nm scale by using a surface modifier and their size effect on the fluorescence properties of europium doped yttria

Abstract

The concept of tailored interfaces has been applied to the synthesis of Eu 2O 3/Y 2O 3 powders to achieve a narrow size distribution by using a modifier. It was found that the particle size gradually decreased from 6 μm to 10 nm with an increase in concentration of the modifier from 0 to 10 wt% with respect to Eu 2O 3/Y 2O 3. Fluorescence spectra of the sample containing 10 wt% of surface modifier showed approximately a 5-fold enhancement of emission intensity of the 5 D 0→ 7 F 2 transition of Eu 3+. This transition is the characteristic transition of europium for red fluorescence under UV light excitation. The concentration dependence of fluorescence in the range from 0–5 mol% Eu 2O 3 did not reveal any concentration quenching.