Abstract:
In recent years, transparent thin films capable of screening and converting ultraviolet (UV) photons into
visible spectrum gained significant interest in the protection of photovoltaic devices.We investigated the
optical properties and UV screening capability of europium-doped titanium oxide (TiO2 Eu) thin films
deposited by the spin-coating method from a solution precursor for the first time in this study. We
showed that TiO2-Eu thin films demonstrate europium concentration-dependent optical properties, and
the quantum yield of the optimized sample was found to be ~10.2%. Transmittance and photoluminescence
measurements suggested that TiO2 Eu thin film can effectively block UV photons (~30.5%
at 320 nm) at glass substrate and convert them to the red emission thanks to 5D0/7Fj (j ¼ 0, 1, 2, 3, and
4) Eu (III) electronic transitions. Photodegradation experiments with methylene blue dye revealed that
TiO2 Eu thin films offer better UV protection compared to uncoated samples. We strongly believe that
porous TiO2 Eu thin films can be effectively utilized as a UV blocking and light conversion coating.