Reverse Microemulsion Synthesis, Structure, and Luminescence of Nanosized REPO4:Ln(3+) (RE = La, Y, Gd, or Yb, and Ln = Eu, Tm, or Er)

Author(s)

de Sousa Filho, Paulo C. ^[1] ; Serra, Osvaldo A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Quim, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Physical Chemistry C; v. 115, n. 3, p. 636-646, JAN 27 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 48

Abstract

A surfactant-mediated solution route for the obtainment of nanosized rare-earth orthophosphates of different compositions (LaPO(4):Eu(3+), (Y,Gd)PO(4):Eu(3+),LaPO(4):Tm(3+), YPO(4):Tm(3+), and YbPO(4):Er(3+)) is presented, and the implications of the morphology control on the solids properties are discussed. The solids are prepared in water-in-heptane microemulsions, using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and 1-butanol as the surfactant and cosurfactant; the alteration of the starting microemulsion composition allows the obtainment of similar to 30 nm thick nanorods with variable length. The morphology and the structure of the solids were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy and through powder X-ray diffractometry; dynamic light scattering and thermal analyses were also performed. The obtained materials were also characterized through vibrational (FTIR) and luminescence spectroscopy (emission/excitation, luminescence lifetimes, chromaticity, and quantum efficiency), where the red, blue, and upconversion emissions of the prepared phosphors were evaluated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/09266-5 - Studies on synthesis, structural and spectroscopic properties of rare earth oxosalts for applications as vacuum ultraviolet phosphors
• Grantee: Paulo Cesar de Sousa Filho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)