Thin Films of La1-xSmxVO4:Ca Luminescent Vanadate Nanoparticles Deposited with Various Methods on Glass Substrates

Thin films containing luminescent active vanadate nanoparticles were applied by spin-coating, solution evaporation and pulsed laser deposition methods on glass substrates. The films are formed by pure vanadate layers as well as by silicon gel layers used as matrices and incorporated with vanadate nanocrystallites. Morphology of the films was studied using optical, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that films obtained from the same compositions but under different procedures have different morphology. Optical properties of the films were studied using absorption, reflection and luminescence spectroscopy in comparison with properties of the initial vanadate nanoparticles. Influence of procedure methods and growth conditions on spectral characteristics of the films was discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of the noted methods of luminescent films growing from vanadate nanoparticles were studied and discussed.