Synthesis and red luminescence of Pr3+-doped CaTiO3 nanophosphor from polymer precursor

Uniform and sphere-like nanoparticles of crystalline Pr3+-doped CaTiO3 have been prepared from complex polymer precursor at 600degreesC, in Which, metal atoms are previously dispersed by citric acid in ethylene glycol solvent. The decomposition process of the precursor, crystallization, and particle sizes of CaTiO3 have been investigated by using thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence and decay curve indicate that a strong red emission located at the nearly NTCS "ideal red" site is deduced from the energy transfer from the band gap absorption to doping Pr3+ ions. The thermoluminescence curves exhibit that a potential long phosphorescent material based on Pr3+-doped CaTiO3 Will be explored in future. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved