A novel co-precipitation synthesis of a new phosphor Lu2O3:Eu3+

Europium-doped Lu2O3 phosphors were prepared via a co-precipitation process. The influence of precipitants on morphology and dispersibility of the obtained Lu2O3 powders were investigated. Precipitation was performed with three different precipitants, namely ammonium hydroxide (NH3·H2O), ammonium hydrogen carbonate (NH4HCO3), and the mixture of NH3·H2O and NH4HCO3. Ultrafine, nearly monodispersed, weakly agglomerated and near-spherical lutetia powders could be obtained with mixed NH3·H2O and NH4HCO3 as the precipitant. The precipitate precursor with the mixed precipitant was believed to possess a basic carbonate composition and its thermal decomposition and phase evolution processes were investigated. Photoluminescence characteristics of Lu2O3:Eu3+ phosphors obtained by this modified precipitation method were also studied.