Abstract
This paper presents an evaluation of photoluminescent and structural properties of Eu3+-doped TiO2 materials in powder form prepared by sol–gel process. The increase of heat-treatment temperature of synthesis results in the TiO2 phase transition, obtaining anatase, rutile and sometimes brookite, examined by Raman and XRD techniques. Crystallite size as well as microstrains in the crystal structure were evaluated as a function of Eu3+ and heat-treatment temperature. It was found that when Eu3+ is introduced in anatase phase an intense color emission is observed under excitation at 394 and 463nm. The rutile phase presents inversion center symmetry, and apparently the Eu3+ tends to occupy this site, which decreases the intensity of the emission assigned to the 5D0→7F2 transition. The materials obtained at 700°C showed most intensity of emission in the red region, verified by the ratio between 5D0→7F2/5D0→7F1 transitions of Eu3+. The results showed that the materials are interesting absorber in the ultraviolet and red region and can be used for improvement of energy conversion in solar cells devices.
Published Version
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