Red and green nanocomposite phosphors prepared from porous GaAs templates

Abstract

Rare-earth-containing oxide nanocomposites are prepared in a controlled fashion from porous GaAs templates. The initial porous GaAs network is replaced by a β-Ga2O3 one during annealing at temperatures from 500 to 900 °C. The impregnation of Eu and Er lanthanides from EuCl3:C2H5OH and ErCl3:C2H5OH solutions results in the formation of xenotime EuAsO4 and ErAsO4 microcrystals finely dispersed into the native oxide matrix. The 4f–4f intrashell transitions in Eu3+ and Er3+ ions ensure red and green emission from EuAsO4 and ErAsO4 nanophases. These nanocomposites may prove useful in future generations of optoelectronic and photonic devices.