[Preparation and luminescence of nanocrystalline ZrO2 : Pr3+ and ZrO2 : Pr3+, Sm3+].

The nanocrystalline ZrO2 : Pr3+ and ZrO2 : Pr3+, Sm3+ powders with room temperature sharp characteristic emissions were prepared by coprecipitation method. Luminescence properties of nanocrystalline ZrO2 : Pr3+ with different sintering temperatures and doping concentrations were studied. The energy transfer between the nanocrystalline ZrO2 host and the dopants was observed. The different Pr3+ concentration dependence of emission intensities of levels 3P0 and 1D2 was discussed. The dependence on Pr3+ concentration in nanocrystalline ZrO2 : Pr3+, Sm3+ of the emission intensity of 4G(5/2)-6H(7/2) transitions of Sm3+ ions and the energy transfer between Pr3+ and Sm3+ ions were investigated and discussed.