Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of ATiO3–Pr thin films prepared by a photochemical method (where A = Ba and Ca)

• A method of photochemical deposition has been used to the preparation of (Ba,Ca)TiO3 thin films doped Pr(III).
• The (Ba,Ca)TiO3/Pr(III) films under 375 nm excitation shows emissions attributable to 1D2 → 3H4 transition of Pr ion.
• These PL signals decreased above 10 mol% of Pr(III).
• Analysis suggests the presence of intermediate energy levels in the band gap influences in the PL processes.

This article reports the characterization and optical properties of (Ba,Ca)TiO3 thin films doped with Pr at different proportions (0–15 mol%). The films were deposited on Si (1 0 0) and quartz substrates using a photochemical method and post-annealed at 900 °C. The evaluation of photo-reactivity of the precursor complexes was monitored by UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The obtained films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicate that Ba, Ca, Ti, O and Pr are present in the form of perovskite. Under UV light excitation (375 nm) the (Ba,Ca)TiO3–Pr films show the characteristic emissions ascribed to 1D2 → 3H4 transition of Pr3+ ion. The optical measurements show the presence of intermediate energy levels in the band gap which influence the emission processes.