Bio-inspired synthesis of Y2O3:Eu3+ red nanophosphor for eco-friendly photocatalysis.

Abstract

We report the synthesis of Y2O3: Eu3+ (1-11 mol %) nanoparticles (NPs) with different morphologies via eco– friendly, inexpensive and simple low temperature solution combustion method using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The formation of different morphologies of Y2O3: Eu3+ NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, UV-Visible and PL techniques. The PXRD data and Rietveld analysis confirms the formation of single phase Y2O3 with cubic crystal structure. The influence of Eu3+ ion concentration on the morphology, UV absorption, PL emission and photocatalytic activity of Y2O3: Eu3+ nanostructures were investigated. Y2O3: Eu3+ NPs exhibit intense red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.50, 0.47) and correlated color temperature values at different excitation ranges from 1868 to 2600 K. The control of Eu3+ ion on Y2O3 matrix influences the photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue (MB) as a model compound was evaluated under UVA light. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of conical shaped Y2O3:Eu3+ (1 mol %) was attributed to dopant concentration, crystallite size, textural properties and capability of reducing the electron-hole pair recombination. The trend of inhibitory effect in the presence of different radical scavengers followed the order SO4 2- > Cl- > C2H5OH > HCO3 - > CO3 2-. These findings show great promise of Y2O3: Eu3+ NPs as a red phosphor in warm white LEDs as well as eco-friendly heterogeneous photocatalysis.