Self-assembly deposition and luminescence properties of TiNbO _-5 and TiTaO _-5 Nanosheets

Through a novel mechanical cleavage technology, TiNbO _-5 and TiTaO _-5 nanosheets were obtained by the exfoliation of the layered KTiTaO ₅ and KTiNbO ₅. Lamellar aggregates of the pre-prepared nanosheets accommodating Eu ³⁺ ions have been fabricated by flocculation of colloidal nanosheet. A series of methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the structure of the as-obtained composites. The results indicated that the restacking nanosheets could form a uniform layered structure. Meanwhile, the Eu ³⁺ ions could enter into the interlayer of the flocculated nanosheets. The Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were also employed to investigate the optical property of the hybrids. The characteristic emission from the composites either by exciting the nanosheet host with UV light or by directly exciting RE at a longer wavelength were studied in details.