Photoluminescence and Photocatalytic Properties of Nanocrystalline TiO₂:Tb Thin Films

Abstract:

In this work photoluminescence together with photocatalytic activity of nanocrystalline TiO₂ thin films doped with different amount of Tb are described. Thin films were manufactured by high energy reactive magnetron sputtering process. Structural investigation has shown that all as-deposited films had rutile structure. Doping of the matrix resulted in decrease of the average crystallite sizes from 8.7 nm to 6.6 nm for undoped and doped films, respectively. This testifies about densification of the matrix structure by Tb-doping. Photoluminescence measurements of TiO₂:Tb films have revealed light emission in wide spectral range (from 350 up to 700 nm) with a strong green luminescence at 545 nm. In order to explain Tb³⁺ luminescence phenomenon in TiO₂-rutile matrix possible energy transfer mechanisms are discussed. The photocatalytic activity of nanocrystalline films was determined based on phenol decomposition during UV-light irradiation. Results showed that all manufactured films were photocatalytically active and their activity was growing with increase of terbium amount. The highest decomposition rate was observed for the TiO2 thin films with Tb amount of 2.6 at. %.

• Periodical: Journal of Nano Research (Volumes 18-19)
• Pages: 187-193
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JNanoR.18-19.187
• Online since: July 2012
• Authors: Damian Wojcieszak, Jaroslaw Domaradzki, Danuta Kaczmarek, Eugeniusz Prociow, Antoni W. Morawski, Magdalena Janus
• Keywords: Nanocrystalline, Photocatalysis, Photoluminescence (PL), Terbium, TiO₂

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