Hydrothermal synthesis and optical properties of magneto-optical Na3FeF6: Tb3+ octahedral particles

Abstract

Sodium iron hexafluoride (Na3FeF6), as a colorless iron fluoride, is expected to be an ideal host for rare earth ions to realize magneto-optical bi-functionality. Herein, monodispersed terbium ions (Tb3+) doped Na3FeF6 particles are successfully synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) reveal that the Tb3+ doped Na3FeF6 micro-particles with regular octahedral shape can be assigned to a monoclinic crystal structure (space group P21/c). Under ultraviolet light excitation, the Na3FeF6:Tb3+ octahedral particles given orange-red light emission originated from the 5D4-7FJ transitions of the Tb3+ ions. In addition, the magnetism measurement indicates that Na3FeF6:Tb3+ octahedral particles are paramagnetic with high magnetization at room temperature. Therefore, the Na3FeF6:Tb3+ powders may find potential applications in the biomedical field as magnetic-optical bi-functional materials.