Preparation and luminescent properties of Eu-doped BaTiO3 thin films by sol-gel process

Eu-doped BaTiO3 thin films with a pseudo-cubic perovskite structure were successfully fabricated on magnesia substrates at low temperature by using a high-concentration sol-gel process, in which the newly developed gel-aging process on substrate was employed. Film microstructure, crystallinity, sintering properties and photoluminescence (PL) were investigated. The xerogel thin films exhibited strong PL associated with Eu3+ ions under ultraviolet excitation at room temperature; the PL was visible to naked eyes. The intensity maximum of PL was reached with doping concentration of about 8 mol%. Sintering above 600 degrees C caused reduction of europium, resulting in a rapid quenching of Eu3+ emission and enhancement of Eu2+ emission. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.