AlON：1.6 mol.%Er3＋, x mol.%Yb3＋（x=0, 2.6, 3.1, 3.6, 4.1, 4.6） phosphors were synthesized successfully by aluminothermic reduction and nitridation（ATRN） method and characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（FESEM） and upconversion photoluminescence（UCPL） emission spectra. Under the excitation of diode laser 980 nm, the green（556 nm） and red（655 nm） upconverted emissions were observed, attributed to the 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transition of Er3＋respectively. The emission intensity increased with increasing Yb3＋ concentration due to the energy transfer（ET） between Yb3＋ and Er3＋. The upconverted emission reached the highest as x=3.6, and was pump-power dependent involving a two-photon process.
Spherical monodispersed and submicron-sized Y203 powders were successfully synthesized through the urea homogeneous precipitation method adding PVA, PVP, or PVA and PVP compound （PVA/PVP） as the dispersant which generated no impurity phases after calcining. The productivity is up to 60% at 107 ±2 ℃ for 3.5 h in an oil bath. The structure, phase composition and evolution, morphology and specific surface area of Y203 precursor and the calcined powders were explored by means of XRD, TG/DTA, FTIR, SEM, TEM and Micropore analyzer （BET）. The spherical particle size of the powders calcined at 900 ℃ for 2 h was 330-350 nm. In this study, 15.5 Wt.% PVA, 8.5 Wt.% PVP or the mixture of both is in favor of enhancing the dispersity of the products. Based on what we have already achieved, it is rather sinificant to advance this research.
