Synthesis and luminescence of pure and Eu3+-activated Aurivillius-type Bi3TiNbO9 nanophosphors

Undoped and Eu3+-activated Bi3TiNbO9 (BTNO) nanophosphors have been successfully synthesized by sol–gel combustion method. The effects of thermal annealing on the phase structure and crystallinity, morphology and UV–vis absorption of BTNO particles were investigated. Photoluminescence (PL) properties show that a broad blue emission was detected for BTNO nanoparticles, and the characteristic Eu3+ ion 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions were observed for the doped samples. Further investigation illuminates that the Eu3+ ions substituted for Bi3+ ions at A site in the pseudo-perovskite layers. It can be confirmed from high bright fluorescence image and short decay time that the novel orange-red phosphor has the potential applications in luminescence devices.