Sonochemical synthesis of monodispersed KY3F10:Eu3+ nanospheres with bimodal size distribution

Monodispersed KY(3)F(10):Eu(3+) nanospheres with bimodal size distribution have been successfully synthesized via a facile and efficient sonochemical method in a surfactant-free system. Rare-earth nitrate (Y, Eu)(NO(3))(3) and potassium fluoborate (KBF(4)) were used as precursors. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the samples. The result of XRD indicates that the as-prepared KY(3)F(10):Eu(3+) nanoparticles crystallized well with a tetragonal structure. The SEM images illustrate that these spheres were actually composed of randomly aggregated nanoparticles. The result of PL spectrum reveals that the as-prepared Ky(3)F(10):Eu(3+) nanospheres exhibit excellent luminescence. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.