The optical properties of Eu3+ and Tm3+ codoped Y2O3 submicron particles

Graphical abstract: The room temperature luminescence emission of Eu3+ and Tm3+ codoped Y2O3 submicron particles exhibits red luminescence (612 nm) under 255 nm excitation, while the emission color of the same particles can be tuned to blue (459 nm) under 320 nm excitation. Highlights: ► Nearly spherical shaped Eu/Tm codoped Y2O3 sub-micron particles were synthesized. ► Color-tunable optical properties of synthesized particles were discussed in detail. ► Red-to-blue color-tunable emission observed by switching the excitation wavelength. - Abstract: This report presents a fabrication result of nearly uniform-shaped color-tunable Y2O3 submicron particles codoped with Eu and Tm ions. The resulted particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope and field emission transmission electron microscope, whereas their optical properties were monitored by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The room temperature luminescence emission of synthesized particles was investigated in detail. It was shown that Eu3+ and Tm3+ codoped Y2O3 submicron particles exhibits red luminescence (612 nm) under 255 nm excitation, while the emission color of the same particles can be tuned to blue (459 nm) under 320 nm excitation. Different concentrations of Eu3+ and Tm3+ were induced into the Y2O3 lattice and the luminescence quenching was observed at high dopant concentrations.