Synthesis and strong near-infrared fluorescence of LiLa1−xNdx(PO3)4 nanocrystals with high doping concentrations

Abstract

A series of LiLa_1−xNd_x(PO₃)₄ (LLNP) nanocrystals are synthesized by a combustion method for the first time. With irregular short-rod shapes and an average size of about 70 nm, the LiLa_1−xNd_x(PO₃)₄ nanocrystals exhibit stronger fluorescence emission of 1.8–6.5 times in the doping concentration range of 1 mol% to 100 mol% than Nd³⁺ (2.5 wt%) doped phosphate glass, and have a long lifetime of 122 μs for the fully doped nanocrystals. Moreover, the LiLa_1−xNd_x(PO₃)₄ nanocrystals show the lowest lifetime decay rate of 5.09 μs per mol% and a quenching ratio of 10.81%. Considering the above outstanding performances, LiLa_1−xNd_x(PO₃)₄ nanocrystals may have promising applications in optical amplifiers and lasers.