Hydrothermal Synthesis, Microstructure and Photoluminescence of Eu3+-Doped Mixed Rare Earth Nano-Orthophosphates

Eu(3+)-doped mixed rare earth orthophosphates (rare earth = La, Y, Gd) have been prepared by hydrothermal technology, whose crystal phase and microstructure both vary with the molar ratio of the mixed rare earth ions. For La(x)Y(1-x)PO(4): Eu(3+), the ion radius distinction between the La(3+) and Y(3+) is so large that only La(0.9)Y(0.1)PO(4): Eu(3+) shows the pure monoclinic phase. For La(x)Gd(1-x)PO(4): Eu(3+) system, with the increase in the La content, the crystal phase structure of the product changes from the hexagonal phase to the monoclinic phase and the microstructure of them changes from the nanorods to nanowires. Similarly, Y(x)Gd(1-x)PO(4): Eu(3+), Y(0.1)Gd(0.9)PO(4): Eu(3+) and Y(0.5)Gd(0.5)PO(4): Eu(3+) samples present the pure hexagonal phase and nanorods microstructure, while Y(0.9)Gd(0.1)PO(4): Eu(3+) exhibits the tetragonal phase and nanocubic micromorphology. The photoluminescence behaviors of Eu(3+) in these hosts are strongly related to the nature of the host (composition, crystal phase and microstructure).