Self-Propagating Combustion Synthesis, Luminescent Properties and Photocatalytic Activities of Pure Ca(12)Al(14)O(33): Tb(3+)(Sm(3+))

The dual-functional Ca(12)Al(14)O(33): Tb(3+) and Ca(12)Al(14)O(33): Sm(3+) materials were prepared by the Self-Propagating Combustion Synthesis (SPCS) technology. The structure, morphology and light absorption property were investigated by XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis DRS and SEM etc. The doping of Tb(3+) and Sm(3+) ions had not changed cubic structure of Ca(12)Al(14)O(33) but leaded to the slight lattice dilatation and the red-shifts of absorption peaks/edges. The excitation and emission spectra indicated that Ca(12)Al(14)O(33): Tb(3+) and Ca(12)Al(14)O(33): Sm(3+) are superior green and red luminescent materials, respectively, and it displayed the distinctly refined structure characteristics which had importantly reference value for the energy level investigation of Tb(3+) and Sm(3+) ions. Meanwhile, Ca(12)Al(14)O(33): Tb(3+) and Ca(12)Al(14)O(33): Sm(3+) also exhibited the improved photocatalytic degradation for removing dye MB compared with bare Ca(12)Al(14)O(33).