Facile synthesis of water-soluble YF3 and YF3: Ln3+ nanocrystals

Water-soluble lanthanide-doped YF3 nanocrystals with cubic structure were successfully synthesized for the first time using a simple solvothermal method with ethanol as solvent at 160 degrees C for 12 h. SEM and TEM results demonstrated that the obtained nanocrystals have an irregular shape and an average size of below 30 nm. Tb3+, Tb3+/Ce3+ co-doped YF3 nanocrystals were also prepared and their photoluminescence properties were investigated. The luminescent intensity of the Tb3+ for the Tb3+/Ce3+ co-doped YF3 nanocrystals is about ten times higher than that of the Tb3+ doped YF3 nanocrystals. The products were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. Owing to their water-soluble properties and high processability, extensive applications may be found. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.