Co-precipitation synthesis of CaF2:Er nanocomposites and photoluminescence characterizations of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol/CaF2:Er nanofibers

• Published in: Indian journal of physics 2014-12, Vol.88 (12), p.1245-1250
• Main Authors: Nakhaei, O., Shahtahmassebi, N., Azhir, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Original Paper; Physics; Physics and Astronomy
• ISSN: 0973-1458; 0974-9845
• DOI: 10.1007/s12648-014-0574-7

CaF 2 :Er nanocomposites have been synthesized using simple co-precipitation method. In order to prepare polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/CaF 2 :Er nanofibers, CaF 2 :Er nanocomposites have been added to the matrix of PVA polymer. PVA/CaF 2 :Er composite nanofibers have been successfully prepared by electrospinning technique. X-ray diffraction pattern and transmission electron microscopy images indicate that CaF 2 :Er nanocomposite has been formed with cubic phase and the average crystalline size has been calculated to be about 26–28 nm using the Scherrer’s equation. The nanofibers have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence and UV–visible spectroscopy. Images show that the diameter of fine nanofibers is in the range of 60–110 nm. The photoluminescence spectrum of PVA/CaF 2 :Er nanofibers exhibits excellent luminescence properties and also shows 4 G 11/2 – 4 I 15/2 (390 nm) transition as the most prominent group. Graphical abstract In this project, we synthesized PVA/CaF 2 :Er nanofibers, using simple co-precipitation and electrospinning methods. This picture shows preparing PVA/CaF 2 :Er solution for electrospinning process.