Ravindra P. Singh, Kiran Gupta, Ashutosh Pandey, Anjana Pandey
Department of Chemistry, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India.
Nanotechnology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India.
DOI: 10.4236/wjnse.2012.21003   PDF    HTML     5,847 Downloads   10,835 Views   Citations

Abstract

Eu⁺⁺⁺ and Tb⁺⁺⁺ doped Y₂O₃ nanoparticles have been synthesized by hydrothermal process using yttrium oxo-isopropoxide Y₅O(OPrⁱ)₁₃ as precursor (OPrⁱ = isopropxy). X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle size analyzer and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy have been used to characterize these powders. The as synthesized powders gave very sharp peak in the X-ray diffraction suggesting crystalline particles with average particle size between 28 - 51 nm for Eu⁺⁺⁺ doped Y₂O₃ nanoparticles and 43 - 51 nm for Tb⁺⁺⁺ doped Y₂O₃ nanoparticles annealed at 300℃ for 3 h, 4 h and 5 h, which could be unique in comparison to other reports. Transmission electron micrograph investigation of the particles shows single dispersed particles along with agglomerates. The ratio of intensities of transitions in the europium and terbium emission spectrum have been used as structural probe to indicate the local environment around Eu⁺⁺⁺ and Tb⁺⁺⁺ in the Y₂O₃ particles.

Keywords

Yttrium Oxo-Isopropoxide; Nanophosphors; Y₂O₃:Eu⁺⁺⁺; Y₂O₃:Tb⁺⁺⁺; Hydrothermal Process

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Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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