Synthesis and luminescence properties of cubic-shaped Ca_1-x TiO₃ :Eu³⁺ particles

In this article Ca_1-x TiO₃ :xEu³⁺ single crystalline particles with a cubic morphology and average size of 248 to 815 nm were synthesized by a solvothermal method. The structural and optical properties of the Ca_1-x TiO₃ :xEu³⁺ cubes were investigated, the formation mechanism of the cubes were analyzed and discussed, and the influence of Eu doping content and cubic size on the photoluminescence were examined. The differences in the photoluminescence between Ca_1-x TiO₃ :xEu³⁺ cubic crystals and nanoparticles was analyzed. It was found that an addition of a small amount of water can substantially reduce the size of the cubes. An obvious red emission band centered at 615 nm was observed under the excitation at 395 nm for the cubes. Our results demonstrate CaTiO₃ cubes are good host materials for designing red phosphors.