Preparation and characterization of Y2O3:Eu phosphors by combustion process

Europium-doped yttrium phosphors were successfully synthesized by combustion process using yttrium nitrate hexahydrate [Y(NO3)3 6H2O], europium nitrate [Eu(NO3)3 6H2O], and carbohydrazide [CO(N2H3)2]. The process takes only a few minutes to obtain Y2O3:Eu phosphors. The resultant powders annealed at different temperature and were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential thermal analyzer/thermogravimeter (DTA/TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra (PL), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the formation temperature of Y2O3 phase is significant low, compared to solid-state reaction route of constituent oxides. For luminescence property, the emission intensity of Y2O3:Eu phosphors synthesized by combustion process increases steadily with increasing europium amount from 1 mol% to 5 mol%.