Effects of different ligands on luminescence properties of LaF3: Nd nanoparticles

A series of neodymium-doped lanthanum fluoride nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized with hydrothermal method, and the effects of several ligands on the luminescence properties of the NPs were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the crystal phases of the modified NPs coincided with the standard spectrum. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the samples were of similar size, shape and dispersibility. The infrared spectra suggested that the content of –OH groups as quenchers on the NPs surfaces decreased after modification. Compared with NPs modified by branched paraffin ligands, NPs conjugating ring-contained modifiers had less quenching effect and possessed stronger fluorescence intensity and longer fluorescence lifetime.