Nano-topological luminophor Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ Ag with concurrent photoluminescence and electroluminescence

A nano-topological luminophor model of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ Ag was designed based on the improvement of radiation transition rate of the illuminating center by surface plasmon excitation. Homogeneous Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ AgCl nanosheets were synthesized through a facile non-aqueous solvothermal method and subsequent heat treatment. By adding AgNO₃ in the thermal reaction of the solvent, Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ AgCl was generated in the preparation process. Then the AgCl was decomposed into elemental Ag to obtain a nano-topological structure of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ Ag after ultraviolet treatment. The size of nano-topological luminophor Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ Ag reached 20 × 20 nm with a thickness of 2 nm, and it emitted red light with a wavelength of 613 nm under the excitation of 245 nm ultraviolet light and electric field. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the nano-topological luminophor Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ Ag was approximately about 50% higher than that of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ under the same conditions, and the electroluminescence (EL) properties was increased by about 200%. It is thought that by reducing the light response threshold of the nano-topological luminophor, the intensity of both PL and EL can be improved simultaneously. This nano-topological luminophor Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+ Ag provides a new way to design phosphors with high luminescence intensity.