Self-limiting adsorption of Eu³⁺ on the surface of rod-shape anatase TiO₂ nanocrystals and post-synthetic sensitization of the europium-based emission.

The surface of oleic acid stabilized rod-shape anatase TiO2 nanocrystals was modified by adsorption of Eu(3+) ions. The Eu(3+) attachment showed Langmuir adsorption behavior, thus the loading of Eu(3+) could be controlled precisely up to surface saturation coverage. The Eu(3+)-TiO2 nanorods show weak Eu(3+) based luminescence. However, addition of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) leads to coordination of the ligand to the Eu(3+) centers and the TTFA-Eu(3+)-TiO2 materials exhibit strong Eu(3+) fluorescence sensitized by the TTFA ligand.