Nanoscale Y

2

O3:Eu phosphors were prepared by thermal decomposition of the rare earth carboxylic acid complexes.The structure

size and morphology of particles were characterized by XRD and HRTEM.The cell parameters of nanoscale Y

2

O3:Eu are related with the doping concentration of Eu

3+

annealing temperature and the ratio of rare earth ions(Re

3+

)and carboxylic acid.The size of Y

2

O

3

:Eu nanoparticle can be controlled by modifying the ratio of Re

3+

and ligand in the precursor.The excitation spectra shift towards the red when the content of Eu

3+

is increased.The emission intensity is related with the composition of the complexes

the annealing temperature and the concentration of Eu

3+

.