Effect of codoping of Rare Earth ions on Microstructure and Band Gap of Ti0.98A0.01Gd0.01O2 (A: Sm/Eu/Tb) Nanostructures Synthesized by modified hydrothermal method

Abstract

Abstract Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+ and Gd3+ ions have been incorporated in anatase TiO2 nanostructures by a hydrothermally modified sol gel method. XRD data analysis revealed the formation of pure anatase phase that crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal symmetry without any secondary phase. FTIR spectra indicate stretching vibrations of bonds in the nanostructures. The absorption peak centered at 568 cm−1 is related to the Ti-O-Ti stretching vibrations. Morphological studies and grain size estimation were performed by SEM measurements. SEM images depict nonuniform distribution of grains with a considerable variation in grain size. EDS measurements ensure chemical compositions in the samples. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy was used to study the optical properties. The doping of rare earth ions (Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+) leads to the variation in band gap of TiO2. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicate a significant change in the intensity on the doping of rare earth ions.