Niobate and tantalate perovskites doped with lanthanide ions and transition metals for applications in photonics and photocatalysis

• Grant number: 24/01581-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Rogéria Rocha Gonçalves
• Grantee: Yaman Masetto Nicolai
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/08111-2 - Development of rare earth based light converters: luminescent markers, optical sensors, and amplifiers, AP.TEM

Abstract

This research project aims to develop and study the properties of nanostructured materials based on alkaline niobate and tantalate (MNbO3 and MTaO3, M = K, Na) perovskites doped with lanthanide ions, with emissions in the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectrum region. The multifunctional materials will be synthesized by the hydrothermal method, aiming at morphological control, for applications as optical temperature sensors, optical amplifiers, and energy converters for solar energy systems, and photocatalysts. Systems based on NaMO3 (M = Nb, Ta) should have their properties studied, focusing on the optical and luminescent properties, resulting from the composition and concentration of dopant ions (Eu3+/Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+, Cr3+ and others), and their photocatalytic activities. Considering that few materials have optical and catalytic properties, the structural, morphological and optical properties of NaMO3 (M = Nb, Ta) should be better investigated. In this context, the synthesis parameters will be optimized, seeking to obtain nanometer-scale, pure crystalline phase particles. A photoluminescent study will be carried out in the visible and near infrared region in order to evaluate the performance of the materials as hosts of rare-earth ions (RE) and the phenomenon of energy upconversion (EUC). The determination of the band-gap values of the materials will be performed to better understand the photophysical properties and the most promising ones will be applied in the heterogeneous photocatalysis process for the removal of pharmaceuticals present in wastewater. The preparation of the materials, the spectroscopic and structural characterization according to the composition and the doping with RE ions and Cr3+ represent the bases of the academic study that continues the promising research developed in our group and previously by the candidate.