Optical properties of surface-modified Bi2O3 nanoparticles

Stearic acid coated Bi2O3 nanoparticles in the size range of 5-13 nm were synthesized by the microemulsion method. HRTEM showed that the morphology of Bi2O3 nanoparticles was ellipsoidal. The absorption edge of Bi2O3 nanoparticles showed a blue shift of similar to0.45 eV, comparing with that of the bulk Bi2O3. At room temperature, Bi2O3 nanoparticles also showed a strong luminescence at 397 and 420 nm, depending on the excitation wavelength. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.