Photoluminescent and structural properties of the silver tungstate doped Pr3+ synthesized by the coprecipitation method

• Grant number: 15/08983-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ieda Lucia Viana Rosa
• Grantee: Caique Leite Correa
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The preparation of nanoparticles of noble metals is an interdisciplinary field that is attracting intense research and development due to the scientific value of these materials in the nanometric scale. In general, tungstates present photoluminescent and electrocatalytic properties, acting also as microbactericide. The materials containing silver (Ag) also exhibit high photocatalytic properties under visible light in degradation of pigments. This research project aims to investigate the photoluminescent properties of the undoped (Ag2WO4) and doped with Pr3+ crystals silver tungstate (Ag2WO4:Pr3+) using the coprecipitation method. This approach does not need the use of high temperatures during the procedure, neither sophisticated equipments. It is a rapid methodology that can be used to synthesize materials which present homogeneity in its form and size, as well as monophasic structure. The emission bands of the praseodymium are located in the visible and infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, due to their electronic transitions of the 4f shell partially filled, shield by the external environment through the external 5s and 5p electrons. These characteristics allow the use of these materials in different optoelectronic devices. These powders will be characterized by X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD), High Resolution Scanning Electronic Microscopy (FEG-SEM), and Reflectance in the visible and ultraviolet ranges (Uv-vis.). The Photoluminescent (PL) properties of these materials will be studied trough the excitation and emission spectra of the Ag2WO4 and Ag2WO4:Pr3+. The value of Pr3+ lifetime will be determined through the decay time of this ion in the Ag2WO4 matrix. Micro Raman spectroscopy (MR) will also be used to identify structural units of these compounds.