Shape-controlled synthesis and luminescence properties of yttria phosphors

Y(OH)(3) hexagonal tubes with embedded polyhedrons (HTEPs) were successfully prepared by a facile hydrothermal method using sodium citrate as the crystal modifier, and as-synthesized products exhibit uniform diameter and length of about 2 mu m and 2-3 mu m, respectively. An oriented aggregation and subsequent dissolution-recrystallization process was proposed to explain the growth mechanism of obtained products. Y2O3 : Eu3+ microstructures with similar morphologies were obtained after thermal treatment of the as-prepared Y(OH)(3) : Eu3+ microstructures at 1000 degrees C for 2 h. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectrometer were used to characterize the samples. The photoluminescence properties investigation reveals that Y2O3:Eu3+ HTEPs show a strong red emission with the strongest peak centered at 614 nm under the excitation of 259 nm ultraviolet light.