Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Er3+ doped BaZrO3 nanotube arrays

Abstract: BaZrO3:Er nanotube (NT) arrays with different Er3+ doped contents have been synthesized by hydrothermal method using ZrO2NT layers as template. XRD, SEM and TEM analysis reveal that the BaZrO3:ErNTs have a cubic perovskite structure with uniform diameter and tubular wall. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as infrared-to-visible up-conversion emissions are investigated in the Er3+ doped BaZrO3NTs at room temperature. PL spectra, excited at 257nm, mainly consist of blue (416nm) and green (510–570nm) emissions from the 2P3/2, 2H11/2, 4S3/2 excited levels of the Er3+ ions to the 4IJ(J =11/2–15/2) levels. Green and strong red (640–690nm, 4F9/2 → 4I15/2) up-conversion emissions are observed under excitation of 980nm by the large amount of OH− absorption, crystal defects, distortion of ErO6 octahedra in the BaZr1−x Er x O3NTs. In addition, the dependence of luminescence intensity on the Er3+ concentration in the NT arrays is studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]