Preparation and characterization of sol-gel derived Au nanoparticle dispersed Y₂O₃:Eu films

Gold nanoparticles dispersed Y₂O₃ films were prepared through a sol-gel method by using yttrium acetate and Au nanoparticles colloid as precursors. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-VIS absorption spectra. XRD patterns and TEM images of Y₂O₃ + Au films give the same results on structure and particle size as that of pure Y₂O₃ films. The surface plasma resonance (SPR) of Au nanoparticles in Y₂O₃ + Au film was observed around 550 nm in the absorption spectrum and its position shifts to red with increasing annealing temperature is caused by the increase of dielectric constant of Y₂O₃ matrix and the size of Au nanoparticles. The second and third order nonlinear optical effects of Y₂O₃ + Au films were also observed. The photoluminescent properties of Y₂O₃:Eu + Au films were investigated and results indicate that there exist an energy transfer from Eu³⁺ to Au nanoparticles and this energy transfer decreases the emission of Eu³⁺ in Y₂O₃:Eu + Au film.