Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis and photoluminescence property of mesoporous EuF3 nanospheres

A simple solution route was introduced for the fabrication of uniform mesoporous EuF3 nanospheres by using Eu(NO3)3 and ionic liquids ([BMIM]BF4) as the starting reaction reagents at room temperature under ambient pressure without any surfactants and templates. The mesoporous samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, as well as N2 adsorption–desorption. The mesoporous EuF3 nanospheres are composed of tiny nanocrystals with a size of ca. 5 nm. The time dependent studies of the reactions have been conducted to reveal the morphological evolution of mesoporous EuF3 nanospheres. An intensive emission peak at around 592 nm was observed at room temperature for the mesoporous EuF3 nanospheres due to the 5D0–7F1 magnetic-dipole transition of Eu3+ ions.

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► Mesoporous EuF3 nanospheres were prepared by using ionic liquids as the fluoride source at room temperature under ambient pressure.
► Ionic liquids act not only as a fluoride supplier but also as a morphology directing agent.
► An intensive emission peak at around 592 nm was observed at room temperature for the mesoporous EuF3 nanospheres.