Acetate-mediated growth of drumlike YBO3:EU3+ crystals

Uniform drumlike microcrystals of YBO3:EU3+ were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method, in the presence of high-concentration ammonium acetate. As the buffer reagent and ligand, acetate ions were found to be responsible for the especially good uniformity and high crystallinity of the products. Moreover, through selectively interacting with certain crystal facets, acetate ions played an important role in restricting the natural growing habit Of YBO3, and had a great impact on its final morphology. Because of the simplicity of this system and the efficient control over the morphology it has achieved, we suppose that this method may have wide applications in exploring the crystal growth process and provide guidance for morphology controllable synthesis.