Color-Tunable Eu3+ and Tb3+ Co-Doped Nanophosphors Synthesis by Plasma-Assisted Method

With increasing health consciousness, Y2O3-based rare earth nanophosphors are considered as promising luminescent complexes for bio-applications. In the present study, an atmospheric pressure plasma-electrochemical technique is demonstrated for the synthesis of Eu3+/Tb3+ single-doped or co-doped Y2O3 nanophosphors from merely an aqueous solution of the corresponding rare earth nitrite salts. Systematic experiments were performed to prepare (Y1-x-yEuxTby)(2)O-3 nanophosphors of various Tb3+ and Eu3+ ratios (x:y = 1:0, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 0:1), with the ultimate goal to achieve the colour tunability by simply adjusting the dopant compositions. Results indicated successfulness synthesis of crystalline Eu/Tb single-doped and co-doped Y2O3 nanophosphors with Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions being uniformly incorporated into the Y2O3 host matrix. The generated products showed apparent downshift behaviour under ultraviolet irradiation, and characteristic spectral excitation and emission bands were detected by the photoluminescence measurement. Furthermore, by adjusting the relative composition ratios of the terbium and europium ions, the emission colours were shown to be regulated to a large extent. The demonstrated process can be characterized as simple, versatile and environmentally-friendly, featuring great flexibility in colour tunability, and therefore can present a considerable interest for emerging nanofabrication applications.