Phase evolution and photoluminescence of Eu(3+)-doped ZrO2.
Eu3+ doped ZrO2 nanocrystals were prepared by decanoic acid-assisted hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the phase evolution, morphology, surface species, and optical properties of the samples. At low Eu3+ content, monoclinic ZrO2 was achieved to show a rod-like morphology. With increasing the Eu3+ content, tetragonal ZrO2 nanocrystals were obtained to show a ball-like shape. Decanoic acid molecules were decorated on the surfaces of ZrO2 nanocrystals, which gave rise to a typical absorption centered at 300 nm. In addition to the characteristic emission of Eu3+, an intense broad emission was detected for pure and Eu(3+)-doped ZrO2 nanocrystals under ultraviolet excitation, which is interpreted in terms of the F/F+ and/or AOD+ centers that are related with the oxygen vacancies.
Chen
Xiaobo
X
Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter and Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, PR China.
Li
Liping
L
Su
Yiguo
Y
Li
Guangshe
G