New insights into the luminescence properties of a Na stabilized Ga–Ti oxide homologous series

Abstract

Herein, we achieve the synthesis and structural study of a luminescent Na-stabilized Ga–Ti oxide homologous series by atomically resolved electron microscopy. Relevant optical properties as a function of the titanium content have been revealed. In particular, the excitation and emission bands change with the series term, showing wide tunability of the luminescence bands, ranging from the ultraviolet to the infrared. First principles studies of these structures have been done in the framework of density functional theory (DFT) to understand the optical properties. Good agreement with the experimental measurements for the three synthesized terms has been obtained from the perspective of the composition and occupancy of the crystallographic sites, as well as from the energy band structure point of view. This work paves the way to explore further the capabilities of tuning the electronic and optical properties in a variety of application fields.