Pure and Dy 3+ -doped NiNb 2 O 6 nanoparticles have been prepared by a sol–gel combustion method using citric acid as fuel and complexing agent and nitrates as oxidants at a relatively low temperature compared to solid-state reaction method. The photoluminescence properties of these NiNb 2 O 6 nanoparticles were studied in detail. For the pure NiNb 2 O 6 nanoparticles, a blue emission band centered at 445 nm is observed. For NiNb 2 O 6 :Dy 3+ nanoparticles, no characteristic luminescence of Dy 3+ can be observed while the host blue emission enhances. It is suggested that energy transfer from Dy 3+ to niobate groups maybe occurs.
