Abstract: ZrO₂:Dy nanocrystals with different sizes and concentrations of Dy³⁺ were prepared with the precipation method. The results indicate that the broad excitation and emission bands
in ZrO₂ nanocrystals occur, which are associated with the electron transition between valence and conduction bands. In Dy³⁺ doped samples,
the luminescent intensity increases with the increase of particle sizes. The emission intensity of Dy³⁺ for co-doped Dy³⁺/Li⁺ ZrO₂
dramatically increases. As the concentration of Dy³⁺ varies, the intensity ratio of yellow to blue emission changes, and the concentration
quenching is originated from the exchange interaction.

Key words: ZrO₂ nanocrystals, Dy³⁺, luminescence