Rare earth doped micro and nanostructures luminescent materials: properties and applications

Abstract

This project focuses specifically on the synthesis and spectroscopic study of micro-and / or nanostructured rare-earth doped inorganic materials with efficient near-infrared (NIR) and visible emission for applications in photonics, biophotonics and as efficient energy converters. Morphological and structural control of oxides and their correlation with optical and luminescent properties represent the academic basis of this project. Inorganic materials will be prepared in the form of particulate powders and / or films targeting three different applications which underlie the project's technological and innovation base: optical amplifiers for telecommunication systems, optical markers (biomarkers) and energy converters to Solar cell efficiency increase.A study of the structural, optical and spectroscopic properties of silicon-derived nanocomposite films prepared by sol-gel for photonic application as optical amplifiers, specifically in the area of telecommunications, will be carried out. The project aims to develop materials with broadband emission in the NIR region. Systems based on 1-xSiO2-xTa2O5 and 1-xSiO2-xNb2O5 will be studied, focusing especially the optical and spectroscopic properties as a function of the composition and concentration of the rare earth dopant ion (Er3+ / Yb3+ / Tm3+ / Nd3+ / Pr3+). The co-doping nanocomposite systems will be performed aiming the study of energy transfer processes and their mechanisms dynamics will be studied in order to obtain materials with efficient NIR emission (broad band). It will also explore systems containing GeO2, aiming greater transparency of the matrix in the NIR and exploitation of photosensitive properties which will enable the microstructure fabrication in films.Studies on the upconversion dynamics of rare earth doped (Er3+, Yb3+, Tm3+) nanostructured low-phonon energy oxides systems, as N2O5, will be continued, aiming the optimization of luminescent properties with potential application as optical markers and as efficient energy converters.A third focus of this project is the conversion of energy involving downshifting and downconversion, especially Eu3+ doped systems and codoped Tb3+/ Yb3+ and Pr3+/ Yb3+, to obtain materials with emission in 1.0 ¼m to increase the efficiency of commercial Si-based solar cells.The correlation between optical and structural properties will be performed according to the composition, synthesis method, as well as the concentration of Ln3+ ions (Ln3+ = Er3+, Tm3+, Yb3+, Nd3+, Pr3+). (AU)