Photoluminescence of nanosheets doped with rare earth ions

Lamellar aggregates of the semiconductor nanosheets accommodating rare earth ions of Tb³⁺ or Eu³⁺ have been fabricated by flocculation of colloidal TiTaO₅^- nanosheet. The as-obtained composites were analyzed by a range of methods including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The results indicated that the re-stacking of the nanosheets could form a uniform layered structure. Meanwhile, the RE ions could be attached to the flocculated samples. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra were also employed to explore the optical property of the hybrid. The characteristic emission from the composites either by exciting the nanosheet host with UV light or by directly exciting RE at a longer wavelength has been investigated in detail. At the same time, the energy transfer between nanosheet and RE ions could be discussed systemically.