Synthesis and characterization of Eu:Y2O3 nanoparticles

The red-emitting nanophosphor Eu:Y2O3 was synthesized using the the mciroemulsions method. The microemulsion system was composed of petroleum ether (60-80degreesC), nonionic, surfactants NP5/NP9, aqueous yttrium nitrate/europium nitrate and ammonium hydroxide solution. The nanoparticles were studied by thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, transmission electronic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence. The size of the nanoparticles was in the range 10-100 nm, and showed a narrow size distribution, high crystallinity and special luminescent properties. Compared with the phosphors prepared by the conventional method, the quenching concentration of Eu was raised remarkably. For this type of nanophosphor, quenching starts at a Eu concentration of 10% (mol%), while a value of 6-8% was obtained for the conventional one (Tao Y 1996 Mater Lett. 28 137-40). Based on this study, we have successfully prepared some promising nanophosphors.