An ionic liquid based synthesis method for uniform luminescent lanthanide fluoride nanoparticles

We describe a facile procedure for the synthesis of uniform lanthanide fluoride nanophosphors by homogeneous precipitation in ethylene glycol solutions containing lanthanide precursors and an ionic liquid (1-butyl, 2-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate). It is shown that the use of this ionic liquid as a fluoride source, an appropriate choice of the solvent and the lanthanide precursor, and the adjustment of reaction temperature, are essential to obtain uniform nanoparticles. This method is applied to the preparation of pure YF3, EuF3 and TbF3 nanoparticles as well as of Eu-doped YF3 and Tb-doped YF3. In most cases, highly uniform nanoparticles were obtained, the size of which could be tuned in the nanometer range by adjusting the nature and concentration of the starting lanthanide precursor. The luminescent properties of the synthesized materials are also evaluated.