Nano-sized $Gd_{2}O_{3}:Eu$ phosphor particles of high brightness

To synthesize $Gd_{2}O_{3}:Eu$ phosphor powder of nano size and high luminescence efficiency under UV (ultraviolet) and VUV (vacuum ultraviolet) light, organic additives such as citric acid and ethylene glycol and $Na_{2}CO_{3}$ flux were introduced in large-scale spray pyrolysis and critical conditions for forming nano-sized particles were investigated. The $Gd_{2}O_{3}:Eu$ phosphor particles prepared from solutions with organic additives such as citric acid and ethylene glycol had micron size and spherical shape. However, the particles prepared from polymeric precursor solution with $Na_{2}CO_{3}$ flux had nano size and non-aggregation characteristics. The as-prepared spherical particles with micron size turned into nano-sized particles during post-treatment by recrystallization process. The nano-sized $Gd_{2}O_{3}:Eu$ phosphor particles showed higher brightness than the commercial $Y_2O_3:Eu$ phosphor product under both UV light of 254nm and VUV light of 147 nm.