Cathodoluminescent properties of Tb3+-doped yttria nanocrystallites

The Tb3+-doped Y2O3 nanopowders were synthesized using the modified Pechini method. The average size of nanocrystallites was controlled by different sintering temperatures. The structure and morphology of obtained nanopowders were examined using the XRD and SEM analyses. The Cr:Al2O3 was mixed with Tb3+:Y2O3 powders and its normalized emission was used to measure a relative intensity of Tb3+:Y2O3. The mixtures were electrophoretically deposited on ITO-glass slides. The cathodoluminescence spectra of obtained layers were recorded and analysed. The discussion over an influence of average grains size on phosphor efficiency was presented.