Facile mixed-solvent-thermal synthesis and characterisation of LaF3 : Eu3+/Tb3+ monodisperse nanoparticles

Abstract

LaF3 : 10% Eu3+/Tb3+ monodisperse nanoparticles have been synthesised by a novel mixed-solvent-thermal technology (N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF), diethylene glycol (DEG)). When the volume ratio of mixed-solvents (DMF : DEG) is 6 : 12, LaF3 : 10% Eu3+/Tb3+ nanoparticles show a pure hexagonal phase structure with space group of P63/mcm. Both the X-ray diffraction pattern and the transmission electron microscope image present a uniform microstructure with good dispersibility, and its particle size is around 10 nm. The characteristic green emissions of Tb3+ originate from 5D4 →7 FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions and the red emissions of Eu3+ from 5D0 →7FJ (J = 1, 2, 3, 4) tran/infsitions can be observed. The dominant peaks are situated at 543 and 590 nm, respectively.