Donor–Acceptor Control in Grown‐in‐Glass Gallium Oxide Nanocrystals by Crystallization‐driven Heterovalent Doping. Issue 6 (31st January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paleari, Alberto; Golubev, Nikita V.; Ignat'eva, Elena S.; Sigaev, Vladimir N.; Monguzzi, Angelo; Lorenzi, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Chemphyschem. Volume 18:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 662
• Page End: 669
• Publication Date: 2017-01-31
• Subjects: donor–acceptor systems -- doping -- glasses -- nanocrystals -- photophysics; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.05
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201601247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4235

Abstract

Abstract: Incorporation of doping ions in nanocrystals is a strategy for providing nanophases with functions directly related to ion features. At the nanoscale, however, doping can also activate more complex effects mediated by perturbation of the nanophase size and structure. Here, we report a paradigmatic case in which we modify grown‐in‐glass γ‐Ga2 O3 nanophases by nickel or titanium doping of the starting glass, so as to control the concentration of oxygen and gallium vacancies responsible for the light emission. Optical absorption and luminescence show that Ni 2+ and Ti 4+ ions enter into the nanophase, but differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction indicate that Ni and Ti also work as modifiers of nanocrystal growth. As a result, doping influences nanocrystal size and concentration, which in turn dictate the number of donors and acceptors per nanocrystal. Finally, the chain of effects turns out to control both the intensity and spectral distribution of the light emission. Abstract : Donor–acceptor nano‐balance : In wide‐band‐gap Ga oxide nanocrystals in glass, the main players of the light‐emitting material—that is, donor–acceptor species—find their final place and functional role thanks to driving forces that are influenced by Ga‐substituting Ni or Ti ions. As a result, a chain of effects can control the donor–acceptor balance and give a strategy to design light emission of grown‐in‐glass nanophases (see picture).