Abstract

Pure and Sm-doped alpha-Bi2O3 micro crystals (rods) have been prepared using modified sol-gel synthesis under mild reaction temperature (similar to 80 degrees C). Crystal structure, optical absorption, luminescence and phonon properties has been investigated using powder X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis, photoluminescence, Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Crystalline a-phase of microstructures is identified using XRD and spectroscopic measurements. Luminescence properties of the micro rods has been investigated for the pure and Sm-doped Bi2O3 samples, and it is observed a strong luminescence which corresponds to band gap of 3.4 eV along with the usual visible luminescence exhibit by the Bi2O3. Raman spectra of the synthesized microstructures reveal various phonon vibration modes of Bi and Bi2O3.