Rugby-ball-shaped Na0.5La0.5MoO4:Eu3+ 3D architectures: synthesis, characterization, and their luminescence behavior

Abstract

Three-dimensional self-assembled rugby-ball-shaped microarchitectures of tetragonal Na0.5La0.5MoO4:Eu3+ crystal structure were synthesized by facile hydrothermal method at 200°C for 8 h using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as surfactant. Structure and morphology of Na0.5La0.5MoO4:Eu3+ were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. In the hydrothermal process, EDTA not only acts as a chelating reagent to facilitate the formation of Na0.5La0.5MoO4:Eu3+ but also acts as a surface capping agent to adhere to the newly created surface and to promote crystal splitting. The molar concentration of EDTA plays an important role and can effectively tune the size of the particles. Photoluminescence study reveals that hierarchical structures of Na0.5La0.5MoO4:Eu3+ show a strong emission in the red region under 395-nm UV excitation.