Synthesis and characterization of Y2O3:Eu nanopowder via EDTA complexing sol-gel process

Nanopowder of Eu-doped Y2O3 (Y2O3:Eu) was synthesized by EDTA complexing sol-gel method at relatively low temperature using metal nitrate and EDTA as starting materials. The heat decompose mechanism of the precursor, formation process Of Y2O3:Eu and the properties of the particles were investigated by then-nogravimetric (TG) -differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fluorescence Spectrophotometer, respectively. The results show that pure cubic phase Y2O3:Eu nanopowders with high purity and high homogeneity has been produced after the precursor calcinated at 600 degreesC for 2 h. The nanoparticles of the Y2O3:Eu are basically spherical in shape, about 30 and 70 rim in size at 600 and 1000 degreesC, respectively. The main emission peak of the sample is at 612 nm, resulting in a red emission. A clear red shift occurs in the excitation spectrum Of Y2O3:Eu nanopowder prepared by the present work, and a clear blue shift occurs in the emission spectrum, compared with micronscale Y2O3:Eu phosphors prepared by a conventional method. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.