Effects of Eu substitution on luminescent and magnetic properties of BaTiO3 nanomaterials

Eu3+-doped BaTiO3 phases were synthesized by combined sol-gel and hydrothermal methods under an oxygen partial pressure of 60 psi. The crystal phases were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The Raman spectra as well as the magnetic properties were also investigated. The photoluminescence emission spectra confirm that the samples were efficiently excited by near-UV light. All spectra were dominated by a red emission band due to the electric dipole transition D-5(o) -> F-7(2). The dependence of the Raman spectra and optical and magnetic properties on the amount of Eu3+ incorporated into the phases was also investigated. The number of magnetic domains increased with the concentration of Eu3+ added. The stabilization of the tetragonal phases was also observed in Eu3+-doped samples, and their ferroelectric properties were also maintained, making these phases interesting multifunctional materials for applications in device design. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.