The paper explores the structure and luminescence of sol-gel-derived SnO 2 :Eu and SnO 2 :Eu,Sb nanopowders which may be useful as electrically conductive phosphors. The samples were sintered in air at temperatures reaching up to 1400°C. Raman-, SEM-, EDX-and photoluminescence characterization of the samples was carried out.High-temperature annealing of SnO 2 :Eu leads to a nanoparticulate phosphor with considerable efficiency of host-sensitized Eu 3+ emission under UV excitation although the emission is slightly quenched at room temperature. While Sb co-dopant immensely improves crystallization at 1400°C, it also impairs luminescence performance. SEM and EDX characterization suggest pronounced segregation of Eu induced by the enhanced crystal growth. Interestingly, Sb-doping seems to activate in the Raman spectrum quite a few SnO 2 vibrations which are normally rather weak or IR active.
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