Submicron Y2O3 particles codoped with Eu and Tb ions: size controlled synthesis and tuning the luminescence emission

Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) codoped Y(2)O(3) submicron particles were prepared using the simple urea homogeneous precipitation method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the synthesized particles to have a pure cubic Y(2)O(3) structure. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and field-emission transmission electron microscopy showed that the synthesized particles had almost uniform spherical shapes. The luminescence color emission of the synthesized particles could be tuned from red due to the effective (5)D(0)→(7)F(j) (j=0, 1, 2 and 3) transitions within Eu(3+) to green due to the (5)D(4)→(7)F(5) transition within Tb(3+) by switching the excitation wavelength from 255 to 310 nm. Luminescence quenching was observed at high dopant concentrations. Strong and effective color-tunable emission is expected to find a wide range of applications in industry.