Bio-inspired synthesis of Y2O3: Eu3+ red nanophosphor for eco-friendly photocatalysis.

We report the synthesis of Y 2 O 3 : Eu 3+ (1–11 mol%) nanoparticles (NPs) with different morphologies via eco-friendly, inexpensive and simple low temperature solution combustion method using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The formation of different morphologies of Y 2 O 3 : Eu 3+ NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, UV–Visible and PL techniques. The PXRD data and Rietveld analysis confirms the formation of single phase Y 2 O 3 with cubic crystal structure. The influence of Eu 3+ ion concentration on the morphology, UV–Visible absorption, PL emission and photocatalytic activity of Y 2 O 3 : Eu 3+ nanostructures were investigated. Y 2 O 3 : Eu 3+ NPs exhibit intense red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.50, 0.47) and correlated color temperature values at different excitation ranges from 1868 to 2600 K. The control of Eu 3+ ion on Y 2 O 3 matrix influences the photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue (MB) as a model compound was evaluated under UVA light. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of conical shaped Y 2 O 3 : Eu 3+ (1 mol%) was attributed to dopant concentration, crystallite size, textural properties and capability of reducing the electron–hole pair recombination. The trend of inhibitory effect in the presence of different radical scavengers followed the order SO 4 2− > Cl − > C 2 H 5 OH > HCO 3 − > CO 3 2− . These findings show great promise of Y 2 O 3 : Eu 3+ NPs as a red phosphor in warm white LEDs as well as eco-friendly heterogeneous photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]