Investigation of nanostructured Lu2O3:Tb

Nanostructured Lu(2)O(3), both plane and doped with Tb, was prepared utilizing a combustion technique. The best crystallity of the products can be obtained initiating the reaction within 560-700 degreesC range of temperature. Tb easily enters the nanoscaled host lattice both as Tb(3+) and Tb(4+). The former gives rise to a typical green emission of the ion while the later introduces a broad-band visible absorption due to charge transfer transitions. The green emission of Tb(3+) from a raw material may be radically increased by after-preparation heat-treatment. Undoped material gives rise to a blue emission, which disappears when Tb content with respect to Lu reaches 0.0001% or higher level.