Fluorescence properties of Pr:YSZ Doped polymer nanocomposites

In this work we report the first results of our research on optical properties in the visible spectral range of composite polymer materials based on PDMS doped with yttria-stabilized Pr3+:Zr02 nanopowders and dedicated for future applications in POF-compatible systems. The set of active nanopowders, obtained by hydrothermal microwave synthesis and differing in activator´s concentrations has been carefully characterized by means of highly-resolved laser spectroscopy. In particular the emission and excitation spectra have been investigated together with fluorescence dynamics profiles to identify the main mechanisms responsible for radiative and non radiative depopulation of excited states, which in turn enabled optimization of developed technology. First polymer composites, based on PDMS films doped with yttria-stabilized Pr3+:Zr02 nanopowders, have been obtained and characterized in respect of their luminescent properties in the visible spectral range. The results confirmed that nano-crystallites incorporated into polymer matrix tend to keep their original optical properties, thus enabling designing of new class of optically active polymer components.