Synthesis and optical properties of Dy3+-doped Y2O3 nanoparticles

In the present study, nearly-uniform spherical-shaped dysprosium-doped cubic yttrium-oxide nanoparticles were prepared by using the urea homogeneous precipitation method. X-ray diffraction patterns of synthesized particles confirmed the formation of a pure cubic phase of Y2O3. The morphology and the elemental analysis measurements were carried out using a transmission electron microscope and a field-emission scanning electron microscope. The particles were observed to have average sizes of around 110 nm. In order to select the optimum concentration of the Dy3+ dopant in the samples, we measured the strongest yellow emission peak intensity due to the strong 4F9/2-6H13/2 transition (573 nm) as a function of the Dy-ion dopant concentration under a constant 349 nm excitation. The PL results showed that the strongest yellow emission at 573 nm occurred when the dopant concentration was about 1% in mol equivalent. Y2O3:Dy3+ phosphor can be used for applications in security printing, biolabel technology, lamps for illumination purposes, etc.