Effect of Eu,Tb codoping on the luminescent properties of Y2O3 nanorods

Red-emitting Y2O3:Eu3+ and green-emitting Y2O3:Tb3+ and Y2O3:Eu3+, Tb3+ nanorods were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Their structure and micromorphology have been analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photoluminescence (PL) property of Y2O3:Eu3+,Tb3+ phosphor was investigated. In the same host (Y2O3), upon excitation with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, it is shown that there are strong emissions at around 610 and 545 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole 5D0–7F2 transition of Eu3+ and 5D4–7F5 transition of Tb3+, respectively. Different qualities of Eu3+and Tb3+ ions are induced into the Y2O3 lattice. From the excitation spectrum, we speculate that there exists energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ ions .The emission color of powders reveals regular change in the separation of light emission. These powders can meet with the request of optical display material for different colors or can be potentially used as labels for biological molecules.