Magnetic and luminescent properties of multifunctional GdF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles

Multifunctional GdF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. Photoluminescent excitation and emission spectra, and lifetime were measured. The average lifetime of the nanoparticles is about 11 ms. The nanoparticle exhibits paramagnetism at both 293 and 77 K, ascribing to noninteracting localized nature of the magnetic moment in the compound. The magnetic properties of GdF3:Eu3+ is intrinsic to the Gd3+ ions, which is unaffected by the doping concentration of the Eu3+ luminescent centers. A measured magnetization of approximately 2 emu/g is close to reported values of other nanoparticles for bioseparation.