Sol–gel derived Y2O3 as an efficient bluish-white phosphor without metal activator ions

In this paper, Y2O3 powder phosphors without metal activators were successfully prepared by the sol–gel method. The obtained sample shows an intense bluish-white emission (ranging from 350 to 600 nm, centered at 416 nm) under a wide range of UV light excitation (235–400 nm). The chromaticity coordinates of the sample are x=0.159, y=0.097, and the quantum yield is as high as 64.6%, which is a high value among the phosphor family without metal activators. The luminescent mechanisms have been ascribed to the carbon impurities in the Y2O3 host.