One-step synthesis and near-infrared luminescent properties of Er3+ and Ni2+ doped single-crystalline Al18B4O33 nanorods

Er3+ and Ni2+ doped single-crystalline Al18B4O33 nanorods were synthesized by a facile one-step toxic-free combustion method. The products were characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and integrated and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The phase purity, morphology, and PL properties of Er3+ and Ni2+ doped Al18B4O33 nanorods can be readily controlled by tailoring the annealing temperature. The mechanism for the formation of Al18B4O33 nanorods with different aspect ratio is discussed. Er3+ doped Al18B4O33 nanorods show strong PL centered at 1531 nm, while Ni2+ doped products show superwide PL with a full width at half maximum of up to 250 nm. These aluminum borate nanostructures are promising building blocks for optoelectronics nanodevices.