Highly uniform NaLa(MoO4)2:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Dy) microspheres: template-free hydrothermal synthesis, growing mechanism, and luminescent properties

Abstract

Uniform and well-crystallized NaLa(MoO₄)₂ microspheres were prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis without involving any surfactants or templates. The as-obtained products were systematically characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and photoluminescent excitation spectra (PLE). The influence of the starting pH value on the phase and morphology of NaLa(MoO₄)₂ microspheres was discussed. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the microspheres was dominated by the consequence of a fast crystallization, dissolution and recrystallization. Finally, the luminescent properties of Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ion activated NaLa(MoO₄)₂ microspheres were investigated. The results demonstrated that NaLa(MoO₄)₂:Ln³⁺ (Ln = Eu, Dy) microspheres exhibited good luminescent properties and might have potential applications in lighting technology.