Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Lanthanide (III)-Doped YF3 Nanoparticles

Abstract

Synthesis process and luminescence properties of trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) doped YF₃ nanoparticles have been investigated. To synthesis Ln³⁺-doped YF₃ nanoparticles, the mixture of (YCl₃·nH₂O + LnCl₃·nH₂O), and NH₄F was hydrothermal treated at 180 °C in a Teflon-liner auto-clave or heated at higher temperatures (400 °C ∼ 600 °C) in a stove. The XRD patterns showed that the Ln³⁺-doped orthorhombic YF₃ nanoparticles with no second phase have been prepared. The solid solution Y_1−xEu_xF₃ (x = 0 ∼ 0.4) nanoparticles have been synthesized. The luminescence concentration quenching resulted from resonance energy transfer between neighboring Eu³⁺ ions occurred at higher Eu³⁺ concentrations (30 mol%). The upconversion luminescence of Er³⁺−Yb³⁺ codoped YF₃ nanoparticles under 980 nm excitation has also been observed. With increase of heated temperature, the size of the Er³⁺−Yb³⁺ codoped YF₃ nanoparticles increased gradually, and upconversion luminescence intensity increased significantly.