Preparation and luminescent properties of Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanofibres made by electrospinning

Abstract Eu 3+ -doped Gd 2 O 3 (Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ ) nanofibres were prepared by a simple electrospinning technique by using poly-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and rare-earth nitrate (Ln(NO 3 ) 3 (Ln=Gd, Eu)) as precursors. Their crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties have been characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The nanofibres were size-controllable with diameters of 50–150 nm and were composed of a pure cubic Gd 2 O 3 phase. Besides, the luminescent properties of the nanofibres were investigated. The luminescent intensity and fluorescence lifetimes of Eu 3+ in the Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanofibres increased with Eu 3+ concentration or fibre diameter. Meanwhile, the temperature quenching effect was also analysed. The emission intensity of Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanofibres at 400 °C was about 50% of the initial value at room temperature.