Red luminescence from La2O3:Eu3+ nanophosphor prepared by Sol-Gel method

•La2O3:Eu3+ (1 mol%) nanoparticles are synthesized by low temperature sol–gel method.•PL emission shows bright red emission at ∼ 624 nm.•Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters are calculated. Pure and Eu3+ doped La2O3 nanophosphor was synthesized by sol gel process. PL spectra of undoped La2O3 samples shows broad emission peaks between 400 and 600 nm and Eu3+ doped samples show PL emission peaks at 510, 515, 531, 537, 553, 578, 585, 594, 612 and 624 nm. These peaks are attributed to 5D1 → 7F2, 5D1 → 7F2, 5D0 → 7F0, 5D0 → 7F1,5D0 → 7F2 transitions of Eu3 + ions. The electronic dipole transition corresponding to5D0 → 7F2 (624, 612 nm) is stronger than the magnetic dipole transition of 5D0 → 7F1 (585, 594 nm) of Eu3+ ions. Luminescence behavior of Eu3+ in La2O3 is analyzed by Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters.