Chemical vapor synthesis and luminescence properties of nanocrystalline cubic Y2O3 : Eu

Nanocrystalline europium doped yttria was synthesized using a chemical vapo r technique. The powder was characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmissio n electron microscopy, and ultraviolet spectroscopy. For the first time it was possible to obtain single phase Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles crystallized in t he cubic structure with an average particle size of only 10 nm. The reflect ion, excitation, and emission spectra were studied. The nanoparticles show blue shifted absorption bands with respect to coarse grained material. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)01118-4].