Structural properties of Sm3+ doped cerium oxide nanorods synthesized by hydrolysis assisted co-precipitation method

Cubic phase of 5% samarium doped cerium oxide nanoparticles was successfully synthesized by hydrolysis assisted co-precipitation method. The average grain sizes of the as-prepared and annealed (800 degrees C) samples were 12-16 nm respectively. The rod like morphology of the post annealed sample was revealed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The nanoparticles exhibited the orange and red color emissions when excited at 330 nm. The as-prepared and annealed powders showed orange emission with maximum intensity at 574 nm which is the characteristic peak of the Sm3+ ion corresponding to the magnetic dipole transition between the (4)G(5/2) and (6)G(5/2) states. Size dependent luminous intensity was observed from photoluminescence studies. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.