Synthesis of Y2O2SO4 submicron spheres and photoluminescence behaviour with Tb3+ doping

• Y 2 O 2 SO 4 submicron spheres were prepared by solid phase method. • Particles with an average size of 300 nm were obtained. • (Y 0.9 ,Tb 0.1 ) 2 O 2 SO 4 submicron spheres emitted bright green light. Y 2 O 2 SO 4 submicron spheres were prepared by facile solid-phase reaction between yttrium sulfate and submicron spherical yttrium oxide for the first time. The influence of the sintering temperature, sintering time on the crystallography and morphology of the Y 2 O 2 SO 4 submicron spheres were carefully investigated. XRD patterns and SEM images of the as-prepared Y 2 O 2 SO 4 submicron spheres demonstrated that they had a single monoclinic phase and uniform shapes with an average size of about 300 nm. The formation process of submicron spheres was also discussed. The surface composition, photoluminescence behaviour of Y 2 O 2 SO 4 submicron spheres were studied by doping with Tb 3+ . XPS data revealed the samples were composed of Y, S, O, and Tb elements, and the presence of Tb 3+ states. The PL results showed that the Y 2 O 2 SO 4 :Tb 3+ submicron spheres exhibited the strongest green emission peak at 546 nm on the excitation of 233 nm. It was corresponding to the 5 D 4 → 7 F 5 transition of Tb 3+ ions. It may be useful as green-emitting phosphors in the lamps and display devices.