Synthesis and luminescence properties of Ho3+ doped Y2O3 submicron particles

Abstract

This paper presents comprehensive results of the eco-friendly, large scale fabrication of nearly spherical Ho3+-doped Y2O3 submicron particles, synthesized using the urea homogeneous precipitation method. The dependence of the photoluminescence emission on the doping concentration was examined to determine the optimum Ho3+ concentration in the samples. X-ray diffraction data of the Y2O3:Ho3+ particles revealed a cubic Y2O3 structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of nearly spherical shape particles with a mean diameter of 200 +/- 50 nm. The luminescence emission intensity significantly increased with increasing calcination temperature due to the improved crystallinity of the synthesized particles. Strong visible green-yellowish emission due to F-5(4); S-5(2)-I-5(8) Stokes transitions was observed under constant 450 nm excitation. Simple large scale fabrication along with the strong visible green-yellowish emission might give these particles wide area of applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.