Flame synthesis of Y2O3:Eu nanophosphors using ethanol as precursor solvents

Y2O3:Eu nanophosphors were prepared by flame synthesis using ethanol or water as precursor solutions. The effects of precursor solvents and flame temperature on particle size, morphology, and photoluminescence intensity were investigated. The results showed that flame synthesis using ethanol solution could produce nanoparticles with better homogeneity, smoother surface structure, and stronger photoluminescence intensity than using water. It was found that the concentration quenching limit of the as-prepared nanophosphors from both ethanol and water solution was 18 mol% Eu, which is higher than the reported limit at similar particle size. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra showed that the ethanol precursor solvent produced monoclinic phase Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles at a lower flame temperature than previously reported. It was also shown that the particle size could be controlled by varying the precursor concentration and flame temperature.