Y2O3:Eu3+ luminescent nanofibers from electrospun PVA/Y(NO3)3/Eu(NO3)3 composite fibers

Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Yttrium (III) nitrate /Europium (III) nitrate composite nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning technique. The electrospun nanofibers were used as precursors to fabricate Y
₂
O
₃
:Eu
³⁺
luminescent nanofibers by calcination at 800°C. The calcinated fibers exhibited gear-like morphology with a diameter range of 54-96 nm. FTIR spectra and XRD pattern indicated that the organic component of the composite materials was completely burned out and the single-phase Y
₂
O
₃
was synthesized at 800°C. Photoluminescence spectra showed that the prepared Y
₂
O
₃
:Eu
³⁺
luminescent nanofibers possessed excellent luminescence characteristics and could be applied as an appreciable luminescent material.