Luminescence properties of Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocrystals prepared by the ultrasonic chemistry method

Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocrystals were prepared by ultrasonic chemistry and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The resulting nanocrystals were found to be nanoparticles with size distribution in the range of 50-80 nm. The phase of all the samples was cubic. The luminescence properties of the samples were systematically studied and show significant change with concentration of surfactant and annealing temperature. The results show that the intensity of the excitation and emission spectra of Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocrytals increases gradually with increasing P123 concentration and annealing temperature. The fluorescence lifetime of 5D0 level Eu3+ decreases with increasing P123 concentration and increases with annealing temperature. The photoluminescence stability of Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocrytals becomes worse with increasing P123 concentration and annealing temperature.