Enhancement of Photoluminescence from Eu³⁺ Doped ZrO₂ in SnO₂ Inverse Opal Structure Prepared by the Liquid Phase Infiltration Method

Abstract

Composite materials with europium (III) ion-doped zirconia (ZrO₂:Eu³⁺) infiltrated SnO₂ inverse opal have been prepared by the liquid phase infiltration (LPI) process. The absolute reflectance spectra measurement for ZrO₂:Eu³⁺ infiltrated SnO₂ inverse opal showed photonic stop band due to three-dimensionally (3D) ordered structure. Photonic stop band of ZrO₂:Eu³⁺ infiltrated SnO₂ inverse opals was shifted to longer wavelength compared with SnO₂ inverse opals due to the increase of average refractive index. The ZrO₂:Eu³⁺ infiltrated SnO₂ inverse opal showed stronger emission intensity than ZrO₂:Eu³⁺ thin film without 3D ordered structure.