Blue, white, and red tunable light emission from (Y2O3:Sm3+)-benzoate hybrid nanophosphors

The synthesis and characterization of yttria-based organic–inorganic hybrid nanophosphors (HNP) are reported. These materials were synthesized by microwave-assisted solvothermal method in a short time of around 2 h and 30 min without any further thermal annealing. According to x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements, HNP have a lamellar structure formed by interleaved layers of organic species and inorganic yttria species. The luminescent properties of HNP are generated by the presence of Sm3 + ions, which produced light emission at 570, 610, 650, and 716 nm due to the G5 / 24 to H5 / 26, H7 / 26, H9 / 26, and H11 / 26 transitions, respectively; and a wide broadband centered at 446 nm as a result of the presence of organic species, particularly benzene rings. Hybrid phosphors have tunable luminescent properties as a function of the used excitation wavelength producing blue, white, and red light emission. Those properties are due to the hybrid's absorption properties and the subsequent simultaneous organic and inorganic light emissions.