Interfacial photoluminescence emission properties of core/shell Al2O3/ZrO2

This research investigated the synthesis of the Al2O3/ZrO2 core-shell system using a polymeric precursor method. The interfacial features emission show the possibility for control of the luminescence behaviour. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns are well defined for alpha-Al2O3 and for gamma-Al2O3, core structures and a zirconia shell phase for high concentrations. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra (lambda(exc) = 350.7 nm) reveal that the effect of the zirconia coating on the alumina was more effective for alpha-Al2O3 than for gamma-Al2O3 which may be related to the zirconia coating process on alumina. The image transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows an amorphous region of 10 nm which is attributed to a ZrO2 shell layer.