A series of Y2O3, Y2O3: Er3+ (1 %) and Y2O3-AG: Er3+ (1 %) (where AG = BO33−, PO43−, and SO42−) nanophosphors were prepared via a chemical combustion technique. The primary X-ray powder diffraction results showed that the Y2O3:Er3+ phosphor materials crystallized into a cubic standard structure, while the Y2O3-AG: Er3+ phosphor materials transformed to hexagonal and tetragonal structures for the [PO43−] and [BO33−]-based phosphors, respectively. However, no changes were observed for the [SO42−]-based phosphor materials. The scanning electron microscope micrographs revealed that the particles were formed in the nanometre range with different sizes and shapes. The fourier-transformed infrared spectra showed the presence of various structural groups in the pure Y2O3 and Y2O3-AG: Er3+ phosphors. In addition to that, the optical bandgap energy values were obtained using the diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) spectra and Kubelka-Munk function theory. Under UV-379 nm excitation for the Y2O3-AG: Er3+ phosphors, the Y2O3–SO4: Er3+ emitted the most intense green light at 563 nm wavelength. The Commission Internationale de l'Elcairage colour coordinates and correlated color temperature values indicated that the Y2O3:Er3+, Y2O3-PO4:Er3+, and Y2O3–SO4:Er3+ phosphor materials are potential candidates for producing enhanced green color components in white light-emitting diode (w-LED) applications.