Synthesis and luminescence properties of lanthanide (III)-doped YFa3 nanoparticles

Synthesis process and luminescence properties of trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln(3+)) doped YF3 nanoparticles have been investigated. To synthesis Ln(3+)-doped YF3 nanoparticles, the mixture of (YCl3 center dot nH(2)O+LnCl(3)center dot nH(2)O), and NH4F was hydrothermal treated at 180 degrees C in a Teflon-liner autoclave or heated at higher temperatures (400 degrees C similar to 600 degrees C) in a stove. The XRD patterns showed that the Ln(3+)-doped orthorhombic YF3 nanoparticles with no second phase have been prepared. The solid solution Y1-xEuxF3 (x=0 similar to 0.4) nanoparticles have been synthesized. The luminescence concentration quenching resulted from resonance energy transfer between neighboring Eu3+ ions occurred at higher Eu3+ concentrations (30 mol%). The upconversion luminescence of Er3+-Yb3+ codoped YF3 nanoparticles under 980 nm excitation has also been observed. With increase of heated temperature, the size of the Er3+-Yb3+ Codoped YF3 nanoparticles increased gradually, and upconversion luminescence intensity increased significantly.