Effect of precipitants on morphologies of Lu₂O₃ phosphors by co-precipitation process

Eu³⁺-doped Lu₂O₃ phosphor nanopowders were synthesized by co-precipitation process with NH₃·H₂O, NH₄HCO₃ and the mixed solution of NH₃·H₂O and NH₄HCO₃ as the precipitants, respectively. Effects of precipitants on microstructures and properties of obtained Lu₂O₃ phosphor were investigated on study of decomposition behavior of precipitate precursor by means of DTA-TG-MS and FTIR spectra. The morphologies and particle size distributions of obtained Lu₂O₃ phosphors were characterized. It is found that powders from the mixed precipitant method exhibits best microstructural morphology with weak agglomeration state and particle size distribution. After being calcined at 1000°C for 2 h, the average crystalline size of Lu₂O₃ reaches 35 nm with medium particle size (D₅₀) of 0.48 μm.