Synthesis of free-standing sub-10 nm Y2O3:Eu particles on silicananowirematrix and amplified luminescence performance

Abstract

Silica nanowire bundles (SNWs) prepared using linear polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a catalytic template were used as a solid matrix for deposition of Y/Eu precursors. On this space-confined SNW matrix, the deposited Y/Eu precursors were transformed into sub-10 nm Y₂O₃:Eu crystalline particles after calcination at 800 °C. We characterized the powders of Y₂O₃:Eu@SNW by SEM, TEM and gas sorption isotherms. Interestingly, capping benzoate residues onto the powders of Y₂O₃:Eu@SNW enhanced dramatically the luminescence intensity of Y₂O₃:Eu@SNW. This amplified luminescence feature was examined for humidity sensing.