Preparation and photoluminescence characteristics of In(OH)3:xTb3+ obtained by Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal method

Crystalline terbium-doped indium hydroxide structures were prepared by a rapid and efficient Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal (MAH) method. Nanostructures were obtained at a low temperature. FE-SEM images confirm that these samples are composed of 3D nanostructures. XRD, optical diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence (PL) measurements were used to characterize the products. Emission spectra of terbium-doped indium hydroxide (In(OH)(3):xTb(3+)) samples under excitation (350.7 nm) presented broad band emission referent to the indium hydroxide matrix and D-5(4)-> F-7(6), D-5(4)-> F-7(5), D-5(4)-> F-7(4), and D-5(4)-> F-7(3) terbium transitions at 495, 550, 590 and 627 nm, respectively. Relative intensities of the Tb3+ emissions increased as the concentration of this ion increased from 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mol%, of Tb3+, but the luminescence is drastically quenched for the In(OH) 3 matrix. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.