Photoluminescence and raman studies of Y2O3:Eu(3+) nanotubes under high pressure

In this work, the cubic compound Y2O3:Eu(3+) nanotubes with diameter of 70-90 nm and length of 2-3 microm are synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Photoluminescence and Raman spectra of Y2O3:Eu(3+) nanotubes in a diamond anvil cell under high pressure are measured at room temperature. The 5D0 --> 7F(0,1,2) transitions of the Eu(3+) ions exhibit red shifts to higher wavelength with pressure increasing. Above 13.4 GPa, all the Raman active modes disappear. When the pressure is released from 25.6 GPa to ambient pressure, these Raman peaks are not retrieved; this fact indicates that the nanotubes are transformed into amorphous from cubic phase at about 13.4 GPa. It may be related to the collapse of nanotube form under high pressure condition.