Preparation of Nano-Size Y₂O₃ : Eu³⁺ Red Emitting-Phosphor and Its Fluorescence Properties

Abstract

Nano-size Y₂O₃ : Eu³⁺ powders were prepared via the thermal decomposition of yttrium carbonate coprecipitate precursors doped with europium. The carbonate precursor, which was synthesized with aging and milling, was fired at 800 °C in air. Consequently, the powder with average diameter of 36 nm was obtained. The relative fluorescence intensity due to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ in Y₂O₃ sample with average diameter of 36 nm shows about 40% compared with that of commercial Y₂O₃ : Eu³⁺ phosphor with average particle diameter of 3.7 μm. The effect of ball-milling treatment during the aging of carbonate coprecipitated precursor on the preparation of nano-size Y₂O₃ : Eu³⁺ powders was discussed. Also, the effect of average diameter on the fluorescence intensity in nano-size Y₂O₃ : Eu³⁺ phosphor was discussed.