Europium Oxide
Europia, europiumtrioxide, dieuropiumtrioxide, europiumsesquioxide
- CAS
- 1308-96-9
- EC
- 215-165-6
- Sectors
- Electronics & Solar PV, Printing & Packaging
Europium Oxide (Eu₂O₃; MW 351.93 g/mol) is a white to slightly pink, odourless powder belonging to the rare earth oxides group. With a melting point of 2 350 °C and a density of 7.3 g/cm³, it is insoluble in water but dissolves readily in mineral acids. Commercially available purity reaches 99.999 % (4N+), quoted on a Eu₂O₃/TREO basis with TREO ≥ 99 %.
The compound is the primary precursor for europium-activated red phosphors and is supplied in Technical and Electronic Grades to serve demanding applications in display technology, security printing, scintillation, and solid-state laser systems.
Europium Oxide
Applications
- Electronics & Solar PV: Serves as the key dopant source for Y₂O₃:Eu red-emitting phosphors used in fluorescent lamps and LED down-conversion layers.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Incorporated into scintillator crystals and solid-state laser gain media requiring high-purity Electronic Grade material.
- Printing & Packaging: Formulated into security inks for banknotes and identity documents, providing machine-readable red fluorescence under UV excitation.
- Printing & Packaging: Used in anti-counterfeiting coatings where its characteristic emission wavelength acts as a verifiable authentication marker.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Applied in thin-film deposition processes as a high-purity oxide source for rare-earth-doped optical coatings.
Safety & Risks
Classified Warning (GHS). H315 skin irritant, H319 eye irritant, H335 respiratory irritant. Use dust respirator (FFP2/N95), safety glasses, and chemical-resistant gloves. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in sealed containers.
Packaging
1–5 kg sealed foil bags for Electronic Grade; 25 kg fibre drums for Technical Grade. Store away from moisture and incompatible acids.