Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Er3+ doped BaZrO3 nanotube arrays

BaZrO3:Er nanotube (NT) arrays with different Er3+ doped contents have been synthesized by hydrothermal method using ZrO2NT layers as template. XRD, SEM and TEM analysis reveal that the BaZrO3:ErNTs have a cubic perovskite structure with uniform diameter and tubular wall. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as infrared-to-visible up-conversion emissions are investigated in the Er3+ doped BaZrO3NTs at room temperature. PL spectra, excited at 257 nm, mainly consist of blue (416 nm) and green (510–570 nm) emissions from the 2P3/2, 2H11/2, 4S3/2 excited levels of the Er3+ ions to the 4IJ(J = 11/2–15/2) levels. Green and strong red (640–690 nm, 4F9/2 → 4I15/2) up-conversion emissions are observed under excitation of 980 nm by the large amount of OH− absorption, crystal defects, distortion of ErO6 octahedra in the BaZr1−xErxO3NTs. In addition, the dependence of luminescence intensity on the Er3+ concentration in the NT arrays is studied.

► High aspect-ratio BaZr1−xErxO3 nanotubes were prepared by hydrothermal method using ZrO2 nanotubes layers as templates.
► The BaZrO3:Er nanotubes have a cubic perovskite structure with uniform diameter and tubular wall.
► Photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as infrared-to-visible upconversion emissions are investigated in the Er3+ doped BaZrO3 nanotubes at room temperature.
► The dependence of luminescence intensity on the Er3+ concentration in the nanotube arrays is studied.