Pechini-type in-situ polymerizable complex (IPC) method applied to the synthesis of Y₂O₃:Ln (Ln = Ce or Eu) nanocrystallites

A Pechini-type, in-situ polymerizable complex (IPC) method was demonstrated as applicable to the synthesis of nanocrystalline multicomponent metal oxides with reproducibility and reasonable yield. In oleic acid-octyl ether reaction media, nanocrystalline, phase-pure Y₂O₃:Ln (Ln = Ce or Eu) samples were prepared with size ranges from 6 to 14 nm at 40% yield. Sample sizes and morphology were characterized by TEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. The amount of Ce and Eu dopants were identified quantitatively by ICP-AE analysis. Photoluminescence of both cerium- and europium-doped nanocrystalline samples were reported. The Y₂O₃:Ce (3 mol%) nanocrystallites demonstrated its activity as a scintillator in alpha particle detection.