Eu-doped Boron Nitride Nanotubes as a Nanometer-Sized Visible-Light Source

Abstract

A study was conducted to demonstrate a broad and tunable visible-light emission, excited by electrons from europium (Eu)-doped boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT). The BN nanotubes served as the host and contributed directly to the light emission. In situ Eu doping was used to incorporate Eu atoms between BN nanotube walls. Pure Eu-doped nanotubes were analyzed, using cathodoluminescent panchromatic imaging and spectroscopy attached to a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pure nanotube samples were collected from the surface of the assynthesized samples and dispersed on a silicon (Si) substrate. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the brighter nanotube tips were caused by the presence of iron (Fe) catalyst particles. It was observed that the special light emission was due to the insertion of Eu2+ions into the nanotube walls, without sitting on the external surfaces.