Y2O3:Eu3+,Tb3+ thin films prepared by sol–gel method: structural and optical studies

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2011-05, Vol.58 (2), p.366-373
• Main Authors: Morales Ramírez, A. de J., García Murillo, A., Carrillo Romo, F. de J., García Hernández, M., de la Rosa, E., Moreno Palmerin, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Annealing; Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Colloidal gels. Colloidal sols; Colloidal state and disperse state; Composites; Crystallites; Dip coatings; Doping; Ethanol; Ethyl alcohol; Europium; Exact sciences and technology; Film thickness; General and physical chemistry; Glass; Grain size; Immersion coating; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Original Paper; Porosity; Porous materials; Refractivity; Sol-gel processes; Terbium; Thin films; X-ray diffraction; Yttrium; Yttrium oxide
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-011-2402-2

Y 2 O 3 : Eu 3+ ,Tb 3+ transparent, high density and optical quality thin films were prepared by the sol–gel dip-coating technique. Yttrium (III) 2,4-pentadionate was used as a precursor by its hydrolysis in ethanol. The doping agents were incorporated in the form of europium and terbium nitrate. Structural, morphological and optical properties of prepared films were investigated for different annealing temperatures in order to establish the ideal processing route that enhances the luminescent properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the cubic phase for 10-layer films and annealing temperatures higher than 500°C. At 700°C, highly densified (4.52 g cm −3 ) and very smooth films (1.4 nm at 700°C) are produced, composed of crystallites with a grain size of 11 nm. The film thickness, refractive index and porosity, as well as the luminescent properties, were found to vary with treatment temperature.