Facile synthesis of luminescent and amorphous La sub(2)O sub(3)-ZrO sub(2):Eu super(3+) nanofibrous membranes with robust softness

Novel luminescent and amorphous La sub(2)O sub(3)-ZrO sub(2):Eu super(3+) (LZE) nanofibrous membranes with robust softness are fabricated for the first time viaa facile electrospinning technique. By incorporating zirconium oxide, the as-prepared lanthanum oxide nanofibrous membranes can be dramatically changed from extreme fragility to robust softness. Meanwhile, the softness and luminescent performance of LZE nanofibrous membranes can be finely controlled by regulating the doping concentration of zirconium oxide and europium in lanthanum oxide nanofibers. Additionally, the crystal structure analysis using X-ray diffractometer and high resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements have confirmed the correlation between the amorphous structure and softness. Furthermore, LZE membranes show the characteristic emission of Eu super(3+) corresponding to super(5)D sub(0, 1, 2)- super(7)F sub(0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions due to an efficient energy transfer from O super(2-) to Eu super(3+). The LZE nanofibrous membranes with the optimum doping Eu super(3+) concentration of 3 mol% exhibit excellent softness and luminescent properties, which make the materials to have potential applications in fluorescent lamps and field emission displays.