Structural phase transformation and photoluminescence of Zn-doped TiO2 nanopowders

Zn-doped titania nanopowders was prepared by sol-gel method. Influence of t he dopant on the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation of TiO2 was investi gated. It was found that the Zn dopant can effectively enhance the transfor mation by lowering the transition temperature. In addition, photoluminescen ce of gel-derived TiO2 nanopowders under 228 nm light excition can be obser ved at room temperature, and its relative luminescence intensity can be inc reased by doping Zn into the titania nanopowders.