Y2O3:Bi nanophosphor: Solution combustion synthesis, structure, and luminescence

Photoluminescence (PL), radioluminescence (RL), and thermoluminescence (TL) investigation of Y2O3:Bi nanophosphors prepared by solution combustion synthesis using urea, glycine, and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) as fuels was carried out. The as-prepared nanopowders have increasing crystallinity and average crystallite sizes for urea, glycine, and HMT, respectively. Luminescence is composed of two emission bands centered at 408 and 505 nm due to two nonequivalent Bi3+ sites with symmetry S-6 and C-2, respectively. The occupancy of these sites depends on the synthesis conditions, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Annealing at 1000 degrees C for 1 h improves PL and RL efficiency due to enhanced crystallinity of the nanopowders and activation of recombination centers (Bi3+ ions). No shift in the PL peak position was observed as a function of average crystallite size. The concentration quenching was experimentally determined to have a maximum emission of around 3 mol % of the dopant. TL spectra present several peaks between 50 and 300 degrees C, and the total TL signal is correlated with the heat of combustion of the fuel and thus crystallinity increases. Most likely, increases in RL and TL are also due to the increase in the concentration of recombination centers.