Hydrothermal synthesis of single-crystal szaibelyite MgBO2(OH) nanobelt as a new host material for red-emitting rare-earth ions

A one-step template-free process for the fabrication of pure, doped, and codoped single-crystal MgBO2(OH) nanobelts in high yield has been presented. The growth mechanism of such novel nanobelts has been investigated on the basis of time-dependent experiments and the crystal structure of szaibelyite MgBO2(OH). Upon excitation with 260 nm ultraviolet light, EU3+-doped nanobelts show a dominant red emission (615 nm) that is visible to the naked eye, indicating that MgBO2(OH) is a new promising host material for the luminescence of rare-earth ions. With the introduction of Y3+ codopant, the emission intensities of all the peaks are efficiently enhanced and the intensity ratio (R) of 593 to 615 nm emissions increases. The reason for the spectral change relating to Y3+ modification is also discussed. The obtained red-emitting nanobelts which can be easily made into transparent thin film have great potential in a wide variety of applications such as transparent luminescent layers. The approach presented herein is expected to provide access to additional multicomponent functional nanobelts with or without dopants.