Optical characterization of eu-doped and undoped gd(2)o(3) nanoparticles synthesized by the hydrogen flame pyrolysis method.

Rare-earth-doped nanoparticles are promising materials for fluorescent labeling, as they are characterized by a high Stokes shift, narrow emission spectra, long lifetimes, minimized photobleaching, and low toxicity. We examined the structural and optical properties of europium-doped gadolinium oxide nanoparticles synthesized by the flame pyrolysis method, with specific emphasis on full spectral characterization and fluorescence kinetics. The emission-excitation characterization revealed the presence of predominantly monoclinic but also highly luminescent cubic phases with a prominent oxygen-to-europium charge-transfer band in the 230-260 nm range.