Synthesis and luminescence of Eu3+ doped nanocrystalline TiO2 spheres

Abstract

Eu3+ doped TiO2 anatase spheres were obtained by modified sol-gel approach. Spheres (110–250 nm) are composed of smaller (5–15 nm) nanocrystals and exhibit red emission under UV light excitation. Materials were synthesized by multi-step method from glycolated titania alkoxides. Europium doped (1.0 mol%) and non-doped spheres were synthesized. Their optical and structural properties were compared by materials characterization methods, such as X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and PL spectroscopy. Doped TiO2 spheres are crystalline phase pure and exhibit high luminescence intensity.