Characterization of luminescent samarium doped HfO2 coatings synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique

Trivalent samarium (Sm3+) doped hafnium oxide (HfO2) films were deposited using the spray pyrolysis deposition technique. The films were deposited on Corning glass substrates at temperatures ranging from 300 to 550 ◦C using chlorides as raw materials. Films, mostly amorphous, were obtained when deposition temperatures were below 350 ◦C. However, for temperatures higher than 400 ◦C, the films became polycrystalline, presenting the HfO2 monoclinic phase. Scanning electron microscopy of the films revealed a rough surface morphology with spherical particles. Also, electron energy dispersive analysis was performed on these films. The photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence characteristics of the HfO2 : SmCl3 films, measured at room temperature, exhibited four main bands centred at 570,610, 652 and 716 nm, which are due to the well-known intra-4f transitions of the Sm3+ ion. Itwas found that the overall emission intensity rose as the deposition temperature was increased. Furthermore, a concentration quenching of the luminescence intensity was also observed