Uniform octahedral-shaped Y2O3:Eu3+ submicron single crystals: Solid-state synthesis, formation mechanism and photoluminescence property.

For the first time, uniform octahedral-shaped Y 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ submicron single crystals with photoluminescence (PL) superior to the as-prepared aggregated spherical counterparts were prepared via a room-temperature solid-state metathesis reaction and subsequent calcination of the as-milled mixtures containing an in situ formed salt as by-product. Their formation mechanism is also discussed based on preferential growth and self-assembling of nanocrystals in the presence of the salt. In summary, the approach promises a great potential in the large scale preparation of octahedral Y 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ submicron phosphors due to its solvent-free, addictive-free, high-yielding and eco-friendly characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]