Solvothermal synthesis and luminescent properties of Y2Ti2O7:Eu3+ spheres

Pyrochlore‐structured yttrium titanate phosphors activated by trivalent europium ions (Y₂Ti₂O₇(YT):Eu³⁺), with spherical morphology, were synthesized at different pH values by a solvothermal process. From the structural and morphological measurements, the annealing temperature had no effect on the spherical morphology of the YT:Eu³⁺ sample. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were taken by activating the Eu³⁺ ions in the YT host lattice as functions of Eu³⁺ ion concentration and annealing temperature. The optimal doping concentration was found to be 4 mol%, exhibiting an excellent orange–red emission due to the highest intensity of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transition. When the YT:Eu³⁺ phosphor was mixed with YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor, a brilliant white light emission was achieved. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)