Thermal study in Eu3+-doped boehmite nanofibers and luminescence properties of the corresponding Eu3+:Al2O3
Eu3+-doped
 boehmite nanofiber materials with different Eu3+ concentrations were synthesized without any surfactant, and followed by a series of characterizations. It was found that the boehmite nanofibers became coarser with the increase of Eu3+ concentration, which resulted in a gradual decrease of their specific surface areas. Moreover, the thermal stability of the boehmite nanofibers was studied by thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry. All materials showed the phase transition from γ-Al2O3 to other forms. Yet the transition temperature was increased with the increase of Eu3+ concentration. The Eu3+-doped boehmite nanofibers with the maximum Eu3+ concentrations showed the best thermal stability. Photoluminescence spectra showed that the 2 mol% of doping concentration of Eu3+ ions in Eu3+:Al2O3 nanofiber was optimum.