Synthesis of strong red emitting Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor by potential chemical routes: comparative investigations on the structural evolutions, photometric properties and Judd–Ofelt analysis

In the present paper, a comparative investigation on the structural and photoluminescence properties of Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor prepared by different wet chemical synthesis routes such as sol-lyophilisation (SL), combustion (CR), hydrothermal (HT) and microwave assisted hydrothermal combustion (MHWC), has been reported for the first time. The MHWC derived phosphor exhibited better photoluminescence than that of the samples obtained with other adopted methods. Such outcomes were due to the increased crystallinity, well defined morphology and improved compositional homogeneity in the MWHC technique. The growth of the prepared phosphors was explained in the light of chemical kinetics. Jorgensen formula and nephelauxetic ratio was used to understand the ligand behavior of Eu–O bond and to estimate the electron phonon coupling in Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor. The spectroscopic behavior of Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor, prepared by different routes, was determined using Judd–Ofelt theory. Thermal stability, purity and efficiency of the emitted colour were checked on the basis of different synthetic approach. An efficient synthesis method for Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor, compatible for industrial appliances, was proposed.