UV-laser-light-controlled photoluminescence of metal oxide nanoparticles in different gas atmospheres: BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and HfO2

The photoluminescence (PL) enhancement has been studied at room temperature using various specimen atmospheres (O2 gas, CO2 gas, CO2–H2 mixture gas, Ar–H2 mixture gas and vacuum) under 325 nm laser light irradiation on various metal oxides. Of them, the results obtained for BaTiO3 nanocrystals, SrTiO3 ones and HfO2 powder crystal are given in the present paper. Their PL were considerably increased in intensity by irradiation of 325 nm laser light in CO2 gas and CO2–H2 mixture gas. The cause of the PL intensity enhancements is discussed in the light of the exciton theory, the defect chemistry and the photocatalytic theory. The results may be applied for the utilization of greenhouse gas (CO2) and the optical sensor for CO2 gas.