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Preparation, structural characterization, and luminescence properties of Eu3+-doped nanocrystalline ZrO2

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Abstract

Eu3+-doped zirconia nanopowders were prepared by the sol-gel technique using two different methods, based on the hydrolysis of zirconium n-propoxide, producing tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia under different preparation conditions. A detailed microstructure characterization was performed through wide angle x-ray scattering, small angle x-ray scattering, trasmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen physisorption measurements. The possible influence of the zirconia crystalline phases and particle sizes on the luminescence properties of the lanthanide ion was investigated. A detailed analysis of the emission spectra of the samples suggested that the dopant Eu3+ ions replace the Zr4+ ions in the zirconia crystal lattice. Moreover, samples prepared by the two different methods were characterized by different decay times of the Eu3+ ion luminescence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento Scientifico e Tecnologico and INSTM, UdR Verona, Ca’ Vignal, Università di Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, I-37134, Verona, Italy

    A. Speghini & M. Bettinelli

  2. Dipartimento di Chimica Fisica and INSTM, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155/b, I-30170, Venezia-Mestre, Italy

    P. Riello, S. Bucella & A. Benedetti

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  1. A. Speghini
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  2. M. Bettinelli
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  3. P. Riello
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  4. S. Bucella
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  5. A. Benedetti
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Correspondence to A. Speghini.

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Speghini, A., Bettinelli, M., Riello, P. et al. Preparation, structural characterization, and luminescence properties of Eu3+-doped nanocrystalline ZrO2. Journal of Materials Research 20, 2780–2791 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.2005.0358

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.2005.0358

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