Tailoring the particle size from mu m -> nm scale by using a surface modifier and their size effect on the fluorescence properties of europium doped yttria

The concept of tailored interfaces has been applied to the synthesis of Eu2 O3/Y2O3 powders to achieve a narrow size distribution by using a modifier. It was found that the particle size gradually decreased from 6 mu m to 10 n m with an increase in concentration of the modifier from 0 to 10 wt% with r espect to Eu2O3/Y2O3 Fluorescence spectra of the sample containing 10 wt% o f surface modifier showed approximately a 5-fold enhancement of emission in tensity of the D-5(0) --> F-7(2) transition of Eu3+. This transition is the characteristic transition of europium for red fluorescence under UV light excitation. The concentration dependence of fluorescence in the range from 0-5 mol% Eu2O3 did not reveal any concentration quenching. (C) 1999 Publish ed by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.