Electrodeposition of high aspect ratio LaPO4 and LaPO4:Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Ce3+, Tb3+) nanostructures

LaPO4 and LaPO4:Ln(3+)(Ln(3+) = Ce3+, Tb3+) nanostructures composed of interlaced high-aspect-ratio nanorods have been electrodeposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate in aqueous solutions near room temperature without any surfactant, catalyst, or template. The deposits obtained at 1.6 V vs SCE and 80 degrees C are composed of interlaced nanorods with the length up to 300-500 nm and the diameter from 10 nm to 20 nm. The HRTEM image and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) of LaPO4 nanorods indicate that the LaPO4 nanorods are single crystal hexagonal structure. The energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping indicates that the doped Tb3+ ions are distributed homogeneously in the nanorods. The LaPO4:Ce3+:Tb3+(Ce3+, 10 mol% and Tb3+, 20 mol%) nanostructures exhibit strong green emission at room temperature. The method is a novel and facile route for the fabrication of nanophosphor structures or films. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.