Multifunctional ScF3:Ln3+ (Ln = Tb, Eu, Yb, Er, Tm and Ho) nano/microcrystals: hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, electronic structure, magnetism and tunable luminescence properties?

Nanoscale Pub Date: 2014-04-01 DOI: 10.1039/C4NR00512K

Abstract

A facile, hydrothermal/solvothermal route has been developed to synthesize a series of multifunctional lanthanide ion (Tb3+, Eu3+, Yb3+, Tm3+, Er3+ and Ho3+)-activated ScF3 nanocrystals. The morphology and size of ScF3 can be tuned in a controlled manner by altering the additives and volume ratios of H2O?:?EtOH in the initial solution. Under ultraviolet (UV), vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) or low-voltage electron-beam excitation, the as-obtained Tb3+, Eu3+ codoped ScF3 product exhibits multicolor photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL), and possible luminescence mechanisms are discussed. Moreover, under 980 nm excitation, upconversion (UC) emissions have been achieved in Yb3+–Er3+, Yb3+–Tm3+, and Yb3+–Ho3+ codoped ScF3. Ferromagnetic property of ScF3 is detected due to the nanocrystal defects. The results obtained indicate that the lanthanide ion-doped ScF3 nanocrystals exhibit multicolor UV/VUV PL, CL, and UC luminescence as well as ferromagnetic properties. Thus, they may have potential applications in PL areas, field emission display devices, bioseparation and magnetic resonance imaging.

Graphical abstract: Multifunctional ScF3:Ln3+ (Ln = Tb, Eu, Yb, Er, Tm and Ho) nano/microcrystals: hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis, electronic structure, magnetism and tunable luminescence properties
Recommended Literature