Effect of the quantum confinement on the luminescent properties of sesquioxydes

Spectroscopic behaviour of Y2O3Ce3+ nanocrystals is presented. A new fluorescence peaking around 430 nm appears in small particles. This emission is interpreted as the 5d-4f radiative recombination of Ce3+, which does not occur in bulk materials due to autoionisation processes. This change in behaviour could be due to both quantum confinement inside the nanoparticles and changes in the crystal field for small sizes. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.