Characterization of ZrO₂:Mn, Cl luminescent coatings synthesized by the Pyrosol technique

Manganese doped zirconia luminescent films have been deposited at temperatures ranging from 250 to 500 °C using the Pyrosol technique. The material obtained is in an amorphous state up 400 °C. For higher temperatures a polycrystalline material is obtained with a cubic and/or tetragonal crystalline zirconia phase. The photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence spectra show the bands associated with the electronic transitions ⁴T₁(⁴G) → ⁶A₁(⁶S) of the Mn²⁺ ions. A decrease of the luminescence, as a function of the doping concentration, substrate temperature and electron accelerating voltage is observed. The presence of chlorine seems necessary for the red luminescence. The surface morphology of the films is also presented.