Red, Yellow, Blue and Green Emission from Eu3+, Dy3+ and Bi3+ Doped Y2O3nano-Phosphors

Rare earth elements (RE = Eu3+& Dy3+)and Bi3+ doped Y2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by urea hydrolysis method in ethylene glycol, which acts as reaction medium as well as a capping agent, at a low temperature of 140 degrees C,followed by calcination of the obtained product. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images reveals that ovoid shaped Y2O3 nanoparticles of around 22-24 nm size range were obtained in this method. The respective RE and Bi3+ doped Y2O3 precursor nanoparticles when heated at 600 and 750 degrees C, retains the same shape as that of the as-synthesized Y2O3 precursor samples. From EDAX spectra, the incorporation of RE ions into the host has been studied. XRD pattern reveals the crystalline nature of the heated nanoparticles and indicate the absence of any impurity phase other than cubic Y2O3.However, the as-synthesized nanoparticles were highly amorphous without the presence of any sharp XRD peaks. Photoluminescence study suggests that the synthesized samples could be used as red (Eu3+), yellow (Dy3+), blue and green (Bi3+)emitting phosphors.