Sol-gel based nanostructured Cr(III)-doped indium tin oxide (ITO) films (In:Sn:Cr = 84.6:9.4:6.0) deposited on silica glass were cured at 350 degrees C, 450 degrees C, 600 degrees C, 700 degrees C and 900 degrees C. EDX, absorption spectra and TEM images confirmed formation of Cr(III)-doped ITO nanoclusters close to Bohr radius of ITO. Excitonic and phonon interactions were studied by absorption, photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectra. The photon energy between the satellite peaks of PL spectra predicted phonon vibrations. Strong hybridization between s-p-states of host and d-states of Cr(III) resulted in stable exciton-phonon coupling as revealed from excitonic and lattice phonon vibrations. Soft room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in the films. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
