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.