Luminescence Concentration Quenching Mechanism in Gd2O3:Eu3+

Luminescence concentration quenching in Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanocrystals results from strong interactions among O2- ions and Eu3+ ions. Because all synthesized Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanocrystals present the same cubic crystalline phase regardless of Eu3+ concentration, it is possible to study the optical properties as a function of the dopant concentration. The emission intensities and lifetime curves for Gd2O3:Eu3+ were analyzed by a simple rate equation model to study the interaction between the O2- ions and Eu3+ ions. The rate equation model considers that such interaction is driven by the following energy transfer processes: the direct energy transfer (O2- -> Eu3+), back-transfer (Eu3+ -> O2-, and direct energy migration (Eu3+ -> Eu3+). The exact solution of this model agrees with the experimental results, luminescence concentration quenching is reproduced and the corresponding energy transfer rates are reported. Quantitative results suggest that the direct energy transfer and direct energy migration processes are the main responsible for the luminescence concentration quenching, whereas the back-transfer process promotes the Eu3+ emission.