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Energy transfer between Tb3+ and Eu3+ in co-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals prepared by Pechini method

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Abstract

Tb3+ and Eu3+ co-doped Y2O3 nanoparticles with a volume-weighted average size of about 30 nm were synthesized via simple Pechini-type sol–gel process. The growth of monocrystalline nanoparticles is investigated via XRD and TEM analysis. The study of energy transfer between Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions was carried out by means of PL, PLE, and photoluminescence decay analyses. The energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ is efficient and we show how a resonant type via a dipole–dipole interaction is the most probable mechanism. We compared the energy-transfer efficiencies calculated from the intensities and from the lifetimes of \({}^5\hbox{D}_4 \longrightarrow ^7\hbox{F}_5\) transition of Tb, showing the presence of two populations of Tb, with different local surroundings, in the matrix. Furthermore, the critical distance between Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions has been calculated by means of different theories, from a new probabilistic approach based on the discretization of the theory of Chandrasekhar about the distribution of the nearest neighbors in a random distribution of particles, and from the PL data, suggesting a value of about 7 Å.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Mr T. Finotto and Mr D. Cristofori for the XRD and TEM 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, R. Marin & P. Riello

  2. Kyoto Institute of Technology and Research Institute for Nanoscience, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan

    M. Boffelli

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

    F. Enrichi

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  1. M. Back
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Back, M., Boffelli, M., Massari, A. et al. Energy transfer between Tb3+ and Eu3+ in co-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals prepared by Pechini method. J Nanopart Res 15, 1753 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1753-8

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