Facile synthesis and luminescence properties of uniform and well-dispersed YF3:Eu3+ architectures

Abstract

Uniform YF₃:Eu³⁺ phosphors with different sizes and morphologies have been prepared via a simple wet-chemical route at ambient pressure and low temperature, without any catalyst, template, or substrate. The morphologies of the YF₃:Eu³⁺ samples can be changed by easily tuning the reaction temperature and fluoride source. The as-obtained YF₃:Eu³⁺ samples exhibit orange–red emission corresponding to the ⁵D₀–⁷F₁ transition of the Eu³⁺ ions under UV excitation, which indicates that the Eu³⁺ locates in a site with inversion symmetry in the YF₃ matrix. After a calcination treatment, the particle size, morphology, and dispersion of the YF₃:Eu³⁺ samples are preserved, but the crystallinity noticeably enhances. This general, simple, and low-cost method may be of much significance in the synthesis of other lanthanide fluorides with various sizes and morphologies.