Preparation, structural and photoluminescent properties of CeO2:Eu3+ films derived by Pechini sol–gel process

In this study, CeO2 and CeO2:Eu films were prepared by a simple Pechini sol–gel process and dip-coating method. CeO2 were successfully synthesized by hydrolysis of cerium nitrate. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the thermal chemical properties of sol–gel powder. Structural properties of CeO2 films annealed at different temperature ranging from 400 to 900 °C were investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Luminescent properties of CeO2:Eu3+ films were investigated by excitation and emission spectra. Our results show that CeO2 is a good host material for rare earth ions doping and Pechini sol–gel process is a useful method to derive high quality, macrocrack free, pure and doped CeO2 films.