Synthesis of mesoporous LaPO4nanostructures with controllable morphologies

Abstract

Lanthanum phosphate (LaPO₄) nanostructures with different morphologies were prepared by a facile solution–precipitation process. The effect of different reaction conditions on the morphology of nanostructures was studied. When the molar ratio of La³⁺ : H₃PO₄ was around 1 : 2, 1 : 20, 1 : 100, and 1 : 200, four different morphologies, such as near-spherical, snowflake-like, star-shaped, lens-like nanostructures and short nanorods, were obtained, respectively. Meanwhile, similar shapes developed when the molar ratio of H₃PO₄ to ionic surfactants, such as SDS and CTAB, was varied. In addition, Eu³⁺ doped and Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺ co-doped LaPO₄nanostructures showed morphology evolution similar to undoped LaPO₄nanostructures. The optical properties of these doped LaPO₄ were also characterized.