Synthesis and photoluminescence of gd-doped TiO2 nanotubes

Pure and Gd-doped TiO2 nanopowders were prepared by a sol-gel process and 500℃ heat treatment, which were used as precursor subsequently. The corresponding TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized by hydrothermal method under microwave irradiation and then were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), field emission transmission electron microscope (FETEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fluorescence spectrum (FS). The effects of Gd content on morphology, crystallinity and photoluminescence of TiO2 nanopowders and nanotubes were investigated. The results showed that the diameter of TiO2 nanopowders decreased with the increase of Gd dopant content, and the diameter decreased to about 10 nm when Gd dopant increased to 2%. Pure and Gd-doped TiO2 nanotubes were both 8 nm in diameter and 100~500 nm in length with open ends and hollow inside. The Gd content had few influences on the morphology of TiO2 nanotubes. The XRD results showed that the crystallinity of TiO2 nanotubes was generally less than that of TiO2 nanopowders, but Gd dopant could maintain crystallinity of TiO2 nanotubes an appropriate content. Moreover, the effects of Gd content on FS intensity for TiO2 nanopowders and nanotubes were discovered. The results showed that FS intensity of TiO2 nanotubes firstly increased and then decreased with the increase of Gd content. The maximum of FS intensity was reached when the Gd contents were 0.2% and 0.5%. © Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Rare Metals. All right reserved.