Self-Assembled Columnar Structure Gd2O3:Eu3+: Solvothermal Synthesis and Luminescence Properties

Gadolinium oxides with self-assembled columnar morphology were successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal method followed by a subsequent heat treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDX) were used to characterize the as-obtained samples. SEM images showed that the self-assembled columnar sample entirely consisted of uniform nano-rods with diameters of about 100 nm and lengths of 200–300 nm. The Gd2O3 precursor could transform to Gd2O3 with their original morphology and slight shrinkage in the size after calcined process. XRD analysis showed that the sample was formed cubic crystal after heat-treatment. The as-obtained columnar structure Gd2O3:Eu3+ product exhibited a strong red emission corresponding to the 5D0-7F2 transition (612 nm) of Eu3+ ions under ultraviolet excitation light or low-voltage electron beam excitation, so it have finded potential applications in some fields.