Nanomaterials containing rare-earth ions Tb, Eu, Er and Yb: preparation, optical properties and application potential

This paper focuses on preparation, optical properties and application potential of some nanomaterials based on Y2O3:Eu,Tb,Er,Yb and SiO2-TiO2 and SiO2-ZiO(2) doped with Er and Yb. Y2O3 nanophosphors are prepared by the combustion method with different doped concentrations. The nanocrystal size Of Y2O3:Eu is from 4.4 to 72.2nm depending on the technology condition. The luminescent spectra, up-conversion and lifetimes were measured and compared. The influence of the technological conditions on the luminescent properties was investigated in detail. The energy transfer effect was studied by the luminescent spectra and the lifetimes in the temperature dependence for the samples with rare-earth concentrations of 5mol%, The relative concentration between Eu and Tb is 8/2 for energy transfer from Tb to Eu. The SiO2-TiO2 and SiO2-ZiO(2) thin films containing Er rare-earth ion were prepared by the sol-gel technique. Optical properties were investigated and the influence of the Er concentration on the luminescent spectra as well as the influence of the Ti concentration on the refractive index of thin films was presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.