Photoluminescence properties of LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles prepared by refluxing method

The europium-doped LaF3 nanoparticles were prepared by refluxing method in glycerol/water mixture and characterized with X-ray diffraction(XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, and photoluminescence spectra. The results of XRD indicated that the obtained LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles were well crystallized with a hexagonal structure. The FE-SEM image illustrated that the LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles were spherical with an average size around 30 nm. Under irradiation of UV light, the emission spectrum of LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles exhibited the characteristic line emissions arising from the 5D0→7FJ (J=1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of the Eu3+ ions, with the dominating emission centered at 590 nm. In addition, the emissions from the 5D1 level could be clearly observed due to the low phonon energies (−350 cm−1) of LaF3 matrix. The optimum doping concentration for LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles was determined to be 20mol.%.