The photoluminescence properties of Er3+-doped ZrO2 nanotube arrays prepared by anodization

Abstract

Er3+-doped ZrO2 nanotube arrays were prepared by anodization of Zr–Er alloy which was obtained by melting zirconium with 1.0wt% erbium. The morphology, structure and photoluminescence properties were studied through scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence analyzer. X-ray diffraction results indicate that doping of Er3+ affects the crystal structure and grain size obviously and the Er3+-doped samples tend to form small tetragonal grains. Photoluminescence analyses show that when Er3+-doped zirconia nanotube arrays are excited at 317nm, there are two strong photoluminescence emission peaks at 373nm and 415nm. When the excitation wavelength is 257nm, a photoluminescence emission peak appears at 363nm. Under same measurement conditions, emission peaks of the undoped ZrO2 nanotube arrays are very weak.