Photoluminescence of erbium oxide nanocrystals/TiO2/gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO) composite sol-gel thin films derived at low temperature

Erbium (III) oxide nanocrystals prepared using the inverse microemulsion te chnique were dispersed in sol-gel TiO2/gamma -glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysila ne (GLYMO) composite thin films at low temperature. X-ray diffraction analy sis and transmission electron microscopy observation show that the erbium ( III) oxide nanoparticles have a nanocrystalline structure and their size is in the range from 5 to 30 nm. A relatively strong room-temperature photolu minescence (PL) was observed at 1.531 mum with a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 22 nm. The shape, peak position, and FWHM of the PL curve from t he composite thin films are quite comparable to those prepared by other met hods. The PL peak of the composite thin film reached a maximum intensity af ter a heat treatment at 300 degreesC. Fourier transform infrared results sh ow that water and hydroxyl groups are present in the films and are responsi ble for the luminescence peak intensity reduction of the films heated at hi gher temperature. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.