Incorporation of Er3+ ions into an amorphous matrix of Cd2V2O7 containing crystalline CdO nanoparticles

Er3+ ions have been introduced into a matrix of Cd2V2O7 using a conventional melt-quenching method. X-ray diffraction results indicate that a material constituted of CdO nanocrystals of ∼40 nm embedded within the amorphous Cd2V2O7 matrix was fabricated. The presence of such nanocrystals was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy measurements confirm that the amorphous matrix is composed by Cd2V2O7. The band gap obtained by optical absorption is 2.84 eV. From the photoluminescence spectrum the electronic transitions such as {2H11/2, 4S3/2, 4F9/2, 4I9/2} → 4I15/2 and 4S3/2 → 4I13/2 corresponding to Er3+ were observed. Thermally activated transport was observed by dark conductivity measurements taken from room temperature to 450 K. The morphology and chemical composition of the sample were determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively.