Electrospinning-derived Tb2(WO4)3:Eu(3+) nanowires: energy transfer and tunable luminescence properties

Nanoscale. 2011 Apr;3(4):1568-74. doi: 10.1039/c0nr00774a. Epub 2011 Feb 15.

Abstract

One-dimensional Tb(2)(WO(4))(3) and Tb(2)(WO(4))(3):Eu(3+) nanowires have been prepared by a combination method of sol-gel process and electrospinning. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), low voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) and time-resolved emission spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the resulting samples. The as-obtained precursor samples present fiber-like morphology with uniform size, and Tb(2)(WO(4))(3) and Tb(2)(WO(4))(3):Eu(3+) nanowires were formed after annealing. Under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beams excitation into WO(4)(2-) and the f-f transition of Tb(3+), the Tb(2)(WO(4))(3) samples show the characteristic emission of Tb(3+) corresponding to (5)D(4)-(7)F(6, 5, 4, 3) transitions due to an efficient energy transfer from WO(4)(2-) to Tb(3+), while Tb(2)(WO(4))(3):Eu(3+) samples mainly exhibit the characteristic emission of Eu(3+) corresponding to (5)D(0)-(7)F(0, 1, 2) transitions due to an energy transfer occurs from WO(4)(2-) and Tb(3+) to Eu(3+). The increase of Eu(3+) concentration leads to the increase of the energy transfer efficiency from Tb(3+) to Eu(3+). The PL color of Tb(2)(WO(4))(3):x mol% Eu(3+) phosphors can be tuned from green to red easily by changing the doping concentration (x) of Eu(3+), making the materials have potential applications in fluorescent lamps and color display fields.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Energy Transfer
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Rotation
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances