Polyethylene terephthalate thin films; a luminescence study

• We synthesize polyethylene terephthalate films by spray pyrolysis technique.
• Blue, green, yellow and red luminescence by rare earths was achieved.
• By an appropriate mix of rare earths, white light emission was achieved also.
• A complete luminescence study was practiced.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) films doped with Rare Earths (RE3+) have been deposited on glass by spray pyrolysis technique at 240 °C, using recycled PET and (RE3+) chlorides as precursors. Cerium, terbium, dysprosium and europium were used as dopants materials, these dopants normally produce luminescent emissions at 450, 545, 573 and 612 nm respectively; the doped films also have light emissions at blue, green, yellow and red respectively. All RE3+ characteristic emissions were observed at naked eyes. Every deposited films show a high transmission in the visible range (close 80% T), films surfaces are pretty soft and homogeneous. Films thickness is around 3 μm.