Synthesis and red luminescence of Pr-doped CaTiO3 nanophosphor from polymer precursor

Uniform and sphere-like nanoparticles of crystalline Pr³⁺-doped CaTiO₃ have been prepared from complex polymer precursor at 600°C, in which, metal atoms are previously dispersed by citric acid in ethylene glycol solvent. The decomposition process of the precursor, crystallization, and particle sizes of CaTiO₃ have been investigated by using thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence and decay curve indicate that a strong red emission located at the nearly NTCS “ideal red” site is deduced from the energy transfer from the band gap absorption to doping Pr³⁺ ions. The thermoluminescence curves exhibit that a potential long phosphorescent material based on Pr³⁺-doped CaTiO₃ will be explored in future.