Abstract: Nanometer TiO₂ thin films were prepared by means of a sol-gel process with ［Ti(OBu)₄］ as the precursor and characterized by XRD, TG-DTA, TEM and PL spectra. XRD results show that the referentially oriented (101) anatase films were formed. TEM results show the TiO₂ grainsize distribution of the sample was even and its size was about 15 nm. At room temperature, the PL intensity was found to have a well matching relation to the doping concentration of Tb³⁺ ions. Luminescence intensity was improved obviously after co-dopingof Gd³⁺ ions because of the sensitization effect of Gd³⁺ ions to Tb³⁺ ions in TiO₂ system. The energy transfer mechanism from Gd³⁺ ions to Tb³⁺ ions was proposed.

Key words: titanium oxide, photoluminescence, Tb³⁺/Gd³⁺, energy transfer