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Optical investigation of Tb3+-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals prepared by Pechini-type sol–gel process

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Abstract

We report an optical study of Tb3+-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals synthesized by Pechini-type sol–gel method. The particles are investigated in terms of size and morphology by means of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. It is shown how the simple Pechini method allows for the growth of monocrystalline nanoparticles with a volume-weighted average size of about 30 nm. The optical properties of Tb3+ in the host lattice are studied in terms of PL, PLE, and lifetimes. Moreover, a correlation between the type of decay curves, the emission and excitation bands' shapes, and the site location of the emitting Tb3+ in the host material Y2O3 is proposed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Mr T. Finotto for the XRD measurements and technical support. The research projects of CIVEN are fully financed by the Veneto Region Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia and INSTM, Via Torino 155/b, 30170, Mestre, VE, Italy

    M. Back, A. Massari, M. Boffelli, F. Gonella, P. Riello & D. Cristofori

  2. CIVEN (Coordinamento Interuniversitario Veneto per le Nanotecnologie), Via delle Industrie 5, 30175, Marghera, VE, Italy

    M. Back, A. Massari, M. Boffelli, R. Riccò & F. Enrichi

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  1. M. Back
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  2. A. Massari
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  3. M. Boffelli
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Back, M., Massari, A., Boffelli, M. et al. Optical investigation of Tb3+-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals prepared by Pechini-type sol–gel process. J Nanopart Res 14, 792 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-0792-x

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