Controlled synthesis and characterization of monazite type monocrystalline nanowires of mixed lanthanide orthophosphates

Monazite type monocrystalline nanowires of mixed lanthanide orthophosphates LnTb(PO4)2 (Ln=Ce, Nd, Sm) were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process under optimal heat-treatment temperature (240 °C) and the starting acidity of the stock solution (pH 0.8). The as-synthesized nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. The length and width of the nanowires were in the range of 2–10 μm and 20–350 nm, respectively.