Effect of Zn addition on optical properties and microstructure of Y2O3:Eu nanopowders prepared by combustion method

Y2O3:Eu and Y2O3:Eu, Zn nano powders were prepared by both conventional combustion and microwave assistance combustion (MAC) methods. The nanopowders obtained here were investigated by means of X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chromaticities of samples were also computed from Photoluminescence emission spectra, as well as lattice constant and micro-structural parameters (crystallite size and micro-strain) which were computed from XRD patterns using Rietveld refinement method. Results showed that incorporation of Zn in Y2O3:Eu lattice enhanced the PL intensity and chromaticity of Y2O3:Eu phosphor. It was also found that the samples prepared by microwave assistance combustion method had higher crystallinity, density, chromaticity and PL intensity than the samples prepared by conventional combustion method. SEM micrographs showed that the size of particles produced in microwave was smaller than that of samples produced in electric furnace. [GRAPHICS] Chromaticity of the samples A) Y2O3:Eu nanopowder prepared by conventional combustion, B) Y2O3:Eu, Zn nanopowder prepared by conventional combustion, C) Y2O3:Eu, Zn nanopowder prepared by MAC (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim