PNNL

Abstract

Europium-doped yttrium oxide phosphors were prepared by firing precursors obtained by urea solvothermal method. The nature of solvents plays an important role in determining the structure and chemical composition of the precursor compounds. Amorphous hydroxides/carbonates mixture, amorphous carbonates and crystalline carbonates were obtained by urea solvothermal reactions from ethylenediamine, ethanol and aqueous media, respectively. The morphology and particle size distribution of the phosphor particles were studied by SEM and dynamic laser scattering method. The photoluminescence of the phosphor prepared by urea solvothermal method is improved as compared with that of the phosphor obtained by conventional urea homogeneous precipitation method. Urea solvothermal method provides a possible way to tailor the properties of a variety of carbonates and oxides by exploiting the nature of different solvents.