Crystal growth and optical characterization of terbium and niobium doped BTO single crystals
In this study, single crystals of Bi12TiO20 doped with niobium and terbium were grown by Top Seeded Solution Growth technique (TSSG). Samples with good optical quality were obtained and were investigated concerning optical absorption, optical activity, electro-optic effect, and photoconductivity. It was verified that doping with terbium and niobium changes the defects structure characteristic of sillenites, affecting in different ways the optical behavior of crystals.
A new technique for depositing nanocrystalline titanium dioxide thin films on electronically conducting glass was developed. This technique is a two-stage process: (i) cathodic electrodeposition of titanium oxyhydroxide gel film from aqueous solution containing a Ti precursor and (ii) subsequent heat-treatment of this gel film results in the formation of titanium dioxide film. The deposition potential may have a considerable effect on the formation of nanocrystalline film. The nanocrystalline titanium dioxide film shows reversible electrochromism in lithium-ion-containing organic electrolyte. The coloration and bleaching throughout the visible and near-IR range can be switched on and off within a few seconds.