Bismuth-doped gadolinium oxide films for UV-Vis multicolor conversion: Combined XPS, DFT and photoluminescence study

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 949; p. 169815
• Main Authors: Zatsepin, Anatoly F., Kuznetsova, Yulia A., Zatsepin, Dmitry A., Wong, Chi-Ho, Law, Wing-Cheung, Tang, Chak-Yin, Gavrilov, Nikolay V., Boukhwalov, Danil V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.07.2023
• Subjects: Energy conversion; Photoluminescence; Energy conversion; Photoluminescence
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.169815

Results of XPS characterization, theoretical modeling and photoluminescence study of bismuth-implanted gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3:Bi) films are presented. Scenarios for the introduction of bismuth ions into amorphous-crystalline Gd2O3 host and mechanisms for the formation of optically active centers are considered. It has been demonstrated that the optical properties of Gd2O3:Bi films are guided by the interplay of a quite complex system of single Bi2+ ions, (Bi3+–Bi3+) pairs and single Bi3+-ions, oxygen vacancies and "defective" gadolinium ions. Photoinduced excitation-relaxation processes involving various Bi-related centers and defect states of the host are observed. Due to the multicolor emission (red, green and blue) of single Bi2+ ions, (Bi3+- Bi3+) pairs and single Bi3+ ions excited in the ultraviolet spectral range, the UV–VIS energy conversion in a wide spectral range is realized. The advantage of Gd2O3:Bi as a material for energy conversion lies in the fact that due to the polyvalence of bismuth and the variety of different optical centers, a wide range of both absorbed UV light and emitted VIS light is involved in the conversion. This indicates the prospects for practical use of Gd2O3:Bi films as multifunctional material for energy conversion and photo-detection systems. •The evolution of the formation of defects and clusters in Bi-implanted Gd2O3 films has been established.•Radiative transitions in single Bi2+ ions, (Bi3+- Bi3+) pairs and single Bi3+ ions provide multi-color emission.•Energy transfer from defective Gd3 + host ions to Bi-related emission center is observed.•Wide spectral ranges of both absorbed UV light and emitted VIS light are involved in energy conversion.