Synthesis and characterization of core/shell structured nanophosphors CePO4:Tb@LaPO4 by solvothermal method

Core/shell structured CePO4:Tb(III)@LaPO4 and CePO4:Tb(III) were successfully synthesized in tris(2–ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) and diethylene glycol (DEG) solvents for comparison of the two techniques in open air and closed reaction vessel. Morphology and crystal structure of the core/shell nanophosphors were determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed that nanophosphors had diameter of about 5–10 nm with the monoclinic monazite phase. The nanophosphors obtained by close vessel procedure showed smaller size, more homogeneity and pure crystallite. The luminescent measurements were done upon the different excitation wavelengths in ultraviolet region and at room temperature to elucidate the influences of the used solvents and the reaction temperatures. It was found that CePO4:Tb@LaPO4 prepared by the close vessel synthesis showed the intensity of green band of the transfer from 5D4 to 7F5 energy level, which was strongly increased, and the luminescent decay time was 3.2 ms, which was longer than that of naked CePO4:Tb phosphor.