Synthesis of complex rare earth fluoride nanocrystal phosphors

Complex rare earth fluoride (NaRF4, R = Ce, Y, Gd) nanocrystals of 30 - 50 nm were synthesized by hydrothermal and solvothermal techniques. The size, morphology and phase transition of the complex rare earth fluorides are discussed as the effects of different solvents, reaction time and temperature. Hexagonal phase NaRF4 nanocrystals with good dispersibility can be prepared in the presence of EDTA using ethanol as the solvent. After doping with Yb3+, Er3+; Yb3+, Tm3+, and Eu3+, some typical up-conversion and down-conversion photoluminescence was characterized and discussed.