Facile synthesis and luminescent properties of LaPO4: Eu3+, Sm3+ nanorods via a designed two-step hydrothermal method

LaPO4: Eu3+, Sm3+ nanorods have been successfully prepared by a designed two-step hydrothermal method. The whole process was carried out under aqueous conditions without the use of any organic solvent, surfactant, or catalyst. The crystal structure, morphology have been characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and TEM, respectively. The detailed conversion process of the product LaPO4 nanorods has been investigated on the basis of time-dependent XRD experiments and SEM experiments. Moreover, the LaPO4 samples doped with Eu3+ and Sm3+ under ultraviolet excitation showed red emission corresponding to the 5D0–7F1 transition of the Eu3+ ions. The doped Sm3+ was found to be efficient to sensitize the emission of Eu3+ and be effective to extend the absorption of near-UV light with wavelength of 400–405 nm. The effect of the concentration of Sm3+ on the emission intensities of the phosphor LaPO4: Eu3+, Sm3+ is also investigated. These samples could be potentially used in the fields of near UV-excited white-light-emitting diode and optoelectronic devices.