Synthesis and microstructure of Al2O3 aerogel composite induced by different transition/lanthanide metal ions

The study of the influence of different substances introduced on the same matrix will provide a good guide for the construction of materials with good properties. A series of transitions/lanthanides metal ions doped or co-doped Al2O3 aerogel materials with three-dimensional nano porous structure were fabricated by a simple and facile modified sol-gel method. The effect of different transitions/lanthanides metal ions on the microstructure, textural properties, and luminescence properties of Al2O3 aerogels were investigated. By co-doping the Al2O3 aerogel matrix with Eu3+ and Tb3+, we fabricated Al2O3 aerogel luminescent materials with tunable color emissions under UV excitation. The characterization results showed that the microscopic morphology of these aerogels induced by transitions/lanthanides metal ions were obviously different. Interestingly, Al2O3-Eu/Tb (III) and Al2O3-Tb/Ce (III) aerogels exhibited a special flower-like structure. It is hoped that our work will offer some efforts for the preparation of functional materials with excellent properties.