Optical behavior of Eu3+-doped BaTiO3 nano-crystallites prepared by sol–gel method

Abstract Eu 3+ -doped BaTiO 3 nano-crystallites with grain sizes 32–38 nm have been obtained by a sol–gel method. It has been found that the luminescence characteristics are strongly dependent on the sintering temperature. Powders sintered at temperatures below 1000 °C demonstrate a luminescence behavior at room temperature associated with a lack of the inversion symmetry of Eu 3+ sites. Above 1000 °C nano-crystallites undergo a phase transition characterized by an inversion symmetry of Eu 3+ sites. The size effect of Eu 3+ :BaTiO 3 nano-crystallites on luminescence characteristics is observed.