Synthesis and luminescence of spherical Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^ and Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^/Bi^sup 3+^ particles

Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^ and Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^/Bi^sup 3+^ particles with spherical morphology are synthesized by microwave-assistant hydrothermal process. The results show that cubic phase Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^ and Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^/Bi^sup 3+^ particles with uniform size and spherical shape are obtained. The doping Eu^sup 3+^ and Bi^sup 3+^ ion have no influence on the phase and morphology of samples. In the hydrothermal process, the fast and homogeneous microwave heating benefits the formation of samples with uniform size and spherical shape. Both Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^ and Y^sub 2^O3:Eu^sup 3+^/Bi^sup 3+^ show dominant red emission originating from the ^sup 5^D^sub 0^ [arrow right] ^sup 7^F^sub 2^ transition of Eu^sup 3+^. The codoping Bi^sup 3+^ can enhance the intensity of Eu^sup 3+^ emission.