Template synthesis and luminescence properties of TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes

Uniform TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes have been successfully synthesized through a simple solvothermal process with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as templates, free of any surfactant or catalyst. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrate that the product is a pure anatase phase of TiO2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images indicate that the as-obtained TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes are uniform in size and distribution, and the thickness of the wall is about 8 nm. The possible formation mechanism has also been proposed. The luminescent spectrum shows that TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes exhibit a red emission at 612 nm due to the 5D0→7F2 transition. Furthermore, this synthetic route is promising for the preparation of other one-dimensional inorganic nanomaterials because of its simplicity and the low cost of the starting reagents. - Graphical abstract: This picture is the illustration for the formation process of TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes. Display Omitted - Highlights: • TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes have been prepared through a simple solvothermal process. • The TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes are uniform in size and distribution. • Under UV light excitation, the TiO2:Eu3+ nanotubes show strong red emission