Synthesis, structure and optical properties of Eu3+/TiO2 nanocrystals at room temperature

The nanocrystal samples of titanium dioxide doped with europium ion (Eu3+/TiO2 nanocrystal) are synthesized by the sol–gel method with hydrothermal treatment. The Eu3+ contents (molar ratio) in the samples are 0, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4%. The X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis spectroscopy data and scanning electron microscope image show that crystallite size is reduced by the doping of Eu3+ into TiO2. Comparing the Raman spectra of TiO2 with Eu3+/TiO2 (molar ratio Eu3+/TiO2=1%, 2% and 4%) nanocrystals at different annealing temperatures indicates that the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation temperatures of Eu3+/TiO2 nanocrystals are higher than that of TiO2. This is due to the formation of Eu–O–Ti bonds on the surface of the TiO2 crystallite, as characterized by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photoluminescence spectra of TiO2 in Eu3+/TiO2 nanocrystals are interpreted by the surface self-trapped and defect-trapped exciton relaxation. The photoluminescence of Eu3+ in Eu3+/TiO2 nanocrystals has the strongest emission intensity at 2% of Eu3+ concentration.