Oxalate-induced hydrothermal synthesis of CePO4:Tb nanowires with enhanced photoluminescence

Hexagonal CePO4 nanowires with a high aspect ratio were controllably synthesized through an oxalate-induced hydrothermal route. The hexagonal CePO4 and CePO4:Tb nanowires exhibited highly enhanced photoluminescence. The organic ligand oxalate was found to play a role for the oriented growth of the nanowires, as well as the structure evolution. The synthesis of nanostructured CePO4 with hexagonal and monoclinic structures was controlled by varying the C2O42-/Ce3+ molar ratios. A formation mechanism of the morphology and crystal structure was proposed.