Use of the antenna effect on ceramic powders Yb2O3:Eu3+; Tb3+ (to promote luminescence).

Ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3) ceramic powders at different Eu3+ mol concentrations, co-doped with a low molar ratio of Tb3+, were synthesized by the sol–gel process for study before and after the inclusion of the organic ligand thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA). The luminescent properties caused by the interactions between the Tb3+–Eu3+ ions before and after the antenna effect caused by the TTA were studied to investigate the relationships among their chemical, physical, structural and optical properties. Before the surface adhesion of TTA, the ceramic powders were composed of cubic crystalline structures that, in turn, consisted of large numbers of agglomerated particles exhibiting xerogel morphologies. The materials presented well-defined dispersive energy spectra, which indicated a suitable chemical composition. Subsequently, changes were induced through the superficial inclusion of TTA, these were characterized by promoting a greater luminescent intensity, especially for the emission bands corresponding to the 5D0→7F0-3 transition levels of the Eu3+ ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]