Two-steps prepared monodisperse Li-doped Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ microspheres and their luminescence properties

Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ is the most important red phosphor. In this paper, we prepared monodisperse Li-doped Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ microspheres using a two-step wet-chemical method and investigated their luminescence properties at room temperature. In the method, monodisperse Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ microspheres were firstly prepared by a coprecipitation technique and then Li-doped Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ microspheres were obtained by an ultrasonic-solvothermal method in the LiOH/ethanol mixture. Based on the characterization of scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and the fluorescence spectrum, it showed that Li-doping could largely decrease the crystallization temperature of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ and enhance the crystallization level, and as a consequence improve the luminescence of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺.