Photoluminescence and energy transfer of terbium doped titania film

Abstract Strong visible luminescence of Tb 3+ ions due to intra-4f shell transitions are obtained from Tb 3+ -doped titania (TiO 2 ) films fabricated by sol–gel method. Based on the overlap of excitation band of Tb 3+ -doped TiO 2 and absorption band of undoped TiO 2 , we propose an energy transfer mechanism from TiO 2 host to Tb 3+ ions. Photoluminescence (PL) intensity is found to have a well matching relation with the doping concentration of Tb 3+ ions. Concentration quenching of PL occurs when Tb 3+ concentration exceeds a certain value (9.5 mol%). Luminescence intensity is improved obviously after co-doped with Ce 3+ ions because of the sensitization effect of Ce 3+ ions and the dispersion of Tb 3+ ions in TiO 2 system.