Electrospinning synthesis and luminescent properties of Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers

One-dimensional Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning followed by high-temperature calcinations. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescent spectra and decay curves were used to characterize the samples. Results showed that samples began to crystallize at ～500 °C and crystallized completely around 1000 °C. The average diameter of nanofibers (1000 °C annealed) was about 55 nm and the particle size of Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ increased with increasing annealing temperature. Under ultraviolet excitation, nanofibers exhibited typical red emission of Eu³⁺ in Lu₂O₃. The effect of heat-treatment temperature on luminescent properties of nanofibers was also discussed.