Controlled synthesis of 3D flower-like MgWO4:Eu3+ hierarchical structures and fluorescence enhancement through introduction of carbon dots†
Abstract
3D flower-like MgWO4:Eu3+ hierarchical structures were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, FTIR and PL. The results show that the as-prepared MgWO4:Eu3+ samples have a tetragonal phase structure and possess a 3D flower-like hierarchical morphology. It is found that the Eu3+ doping concentration (more than 5%) has an obvious effect on the phase structure and the formation of a flower-like morphology, and MgWO4:Eu3+ flowers are probably formed from many layered nanosheets. Moreover, the significantly enhanced fluorescence performance of MgWO4:Eu3+ flowers by introducing carbon dots (CDs) is also studied. The PL emission intensities of CD/MgWO4:Eu3+ composites increase fourfold compared to those of the corresponding MgWO4:Eu3+ samples. The luminescence enhancement mechanism could be attributed to the energy transfer processes from the excited states of CDs to Eu3+ ions in the CD/MgWO4:Eu3+ composites. The as-prepared highly fluorescent materials with hierarchical structures might have potential applications in fluorescent lamps, displays, sensors and so on.