Temperature-sensitive luminescence of Y2O3:Nd3+ nanocrystals produced by an eco-friendly route

Abstract The present paper describes the production via a new modified sol-gel route and the characterization of yttrium oxide nanoparticles doped with neodymium ions (Y 2 O 3 :Nd 3+ ) aiming applications in temperature sensing of biological systems. The proposed synthesis route uses the chelating capability of natural humic substances present in river water to polymerize the departing metal solution, leading to well-crystalline nanoparticles after calcination at 450 °C. The produced samples were characterized by means of differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical absorption (OA) and temperature-dependent luminescence. The high values of relative sensitivity ( S r ) of the produced Nd-doped Y 2 O 3 nanocrystals indicates the potentialities of these materials for temperature sensing in nanoscale.