Luminescent and magnetic properties of Fe–Co/FeYO3/Y2O3:Eu3+ and Fe–Ni/FeYO3/Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites

Fe–Co/FeYO3/Y2O3:Eu3+ and Fe–Ni/FeYO3/Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites have been synthesized by solid-state method. The raw materials include Y2O3:Eu3+ nanoparticles, melamine and Fe3O4 nanoparticles doped with various Co or Ni contents. The characterization results indicate that Y2O3 is the main phase and there is a trade-off between the relative amounts of FeYO3 and Fe–Co (or Fe–Ni) alloy in the nanocomposites. The diameter of the nanospheres in the nanocomposites ranges from 100 to 200 nm. The length and diameter of the nanorods in the Fe–Ni/FeYO3/Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites are in the range of 400–600 nm and 100–200 nm, respectively. The variation of bifunctional properties of Fe–Ni/FeYO3/Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites with Ni/Fe ratio is different from that of Fe–Co/FeYO3/Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites with Co/Fe ratio. The formation mechanism of the nanocomposites is put forward. The changes of the luminescent and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites are investigated.