Erbia-modified electrospun titania nanofibres for selective infrared emitters

Tetraisopropyl titanate (TPT) was mixed with a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and the solution electrospun into nanofibres. Thermal annealing at 900 C was used to pyrolyse the PVP, leaving nanofibres of rutile-phase titania. Erbium (III) oxide particles were also added into the solution before electrospinning, and selectively modified the near-infrared optical properties of the titania nanofibres as verified by both absorption and emission spectra. We thereby demonstrate the production of high-temperature optically functionalized nanostructures that can be used in a thermophotovoltaic energy conversion system.