Preparation, optical properties and structure of Y/sub 2/O/sub 3:Eu and Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/:Tb,Eu nanophosphors

Y₂0₃:Eu powder was prepared with varying concentrations of Eu of 3,5 and 7 mole %, and Y₂0₃:Tb,Eu (y=0.95, Eu+Tb=0.05) with mole ratios of Eu/Tb of 7/3,8/2, 9/1, by the combustion method. The luminescent intensity, the decay time of Eu, Tb and the energy transfer between Tb and Eu in the Y₂0₃:Eu,Tb powder were studied. For Y₂0₃:Eu at different annealing conditions, the average particle sizes were from 4.4nm to 2.2nm. The luminescent intensity of Y₂0₃:Eu, Tb nanophosphors is a maximum in the case of a mole ratio of Eu/Tb of 8/2. The influence of the preparation conditions on the optical and structural properties was investigated.