Synthesis and characterization of rare earth oxide nanostructured particles doped with Eu for luminescent applications obtained by aerosol method

Abstract

Gadolinium and Ytrium oxides doped with europium (Gd2O3:Eu, Y2O3:Eu) have luminiscent properties. Such properties are improved with the use of nanostructured materials with spherical geometry and narrow particle size distribution. Besides, luminescent properties enhance with a homogeneous distribution of dopant centers in the host matrix material. In this paper the synthesis and characterization of gadolinium and yttrium doped with different proportions of Europium are shown. Nanostructured particles were synthesized through Spray Pyrolysis route in a tubular furnace at different temperatures, and subjected to different post-thermal treatments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used for the morphological, chemical and structural characterization of the nanoparticles.