Preparation of Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor fine particles using an emulsion liquid membrane system

Y2O3 : Eu3+ phosphor particles were obtained by calcination of composite Y-Eu oxalate particles prepared in emulsion liquid membrane (ELM, water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion) systems. In the ELM systems, composite Y-Eu particles could be prepared by transporting either Y3+ and Eu3+ ions or oxalate ions from the external water phase into the internal water phase, employing proper ELM systems, where bis(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phosphinic acid (DTMBPA) or 2-methyl-2-ethylheptanoic acid (VA-10) was used as an extractant (cation carrier), or tri-n-octylamine (TNOA) was used as an anion carrier. These ELM systems were effective for preparing size (submicrometer) and morphology (spherical) controlled composite Y-Eu oxalate particles in the internal water droplets. The Y2O3 : Eu3+ particles obtained by calcination of the composite oxalate particles showed photoluminescence at 614 nm.