LaF3:Ce3+ doped nanoparticles were synthesized at different temperatures in dimethyl sulfoxide by the chemical reaction of lanthanum nitrate hydrate and cerium nitrate hexahydrate with ammonium fluoride. The formation of Ce3+ doped LaF3 nanoparticles is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. An intense emission at around 310 nm from the d - f transition of Ce3+ was observed from the LaF3:Ce3+ powder samples. However, in solution samples, the ultraviolet emission from Ce3+ is mostly absent, but intense luminescence is observed in the visible range from blue to red. The emission wavelength of the solution samples is dependent on the reaction time and temperature. More interestingly, the emission wavelength varies with the excitation wavelength. Most likely, this emission is from the metalorganic compounds of Ce3+ or La3+ and DMSO as similar phenomena are also observed when lanthanum nitrate hydrate or cerium nitrate hexahydrate are heated in DMSO.
Revised: June 28, 2010 |
Published: January 21, 2010
Citation
Yao M., A.G. Joly, and W. Chen. 2010.Formation and Luminescence Phenomena of LaF3:Ce3+ Nanoparticles and Lanthanide-Organic Compounds in Dimethyl Sulfoxide.Journal of Physical Chemistry C 114, no. 2:826-831.PNNL-SA-65792.doi:10.1021/jp9092173