Synthesis and Structural Properties of Eu3+:TiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

Pure and doped TiO2 with Eu3+ nanoparticles were prepared by a novel and simple preparation method. The pure TiO2 nanoparticles and the doping TiO2 with the Eu3+ ions prepared at room temperature by the sol-gel method via the reaction of Titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) with an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acidic in the presence of ethanol. The crystal structure of the prepared nanoparticles was investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) while the morphology of the samples was investigated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). All the prepared samples having excellent crystalline. As well, XRD proved that doping TiO2 with Eu3+ reduced the crystallite size. The FESEM images showed that the doping of TiO2 with Eu3+ results in larger particle sizes. In the present work, the effects of doping, particle size, and stabilization of the anatase phase were studied. As well as the deceleration of crystal growth by the rare-earth-doped into TiO2 host was investigated.