Sonochemical Synthesis of Lanthanide Ions Doped CeF3 Nanoparticles: Potential Materials for Solid State Lighting Devices

Nanocrystalline CeF(3) and CeF(3) doped with Dy(3+), Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ions have been successfully synthesized via a mild ultrasound assisted route from an aqueous solution of cerium nitrate and potassium borofluoride. The nanoparticles obtained were characterized extensively by techniques like powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. Their luminescence properties have also been studied. The nanoparticles showed characteristic emission of respective dopants (Dy(3+) and Tb(3+)) when excited at the 4f -> 5d transition of Ce(3+). The chromaticity coordinates for these samples were calculated and it was observed that the CeF(3) co doped with Dy(3+) and Tb(3+) gave an emission very close to white light.