A new one-pot strategy to LaF3:Ce,Tb@SiO2 core-shell nanostructures

●LaF3:Ce,Tb@SiO2 nanostructures were synthesized using a one-pot strategy.●The core-shell nanostructures have an average diameter of about 27 nm.●LaF3:Ce,Tb@SiO2 colloid can emit bright light under ultraviolet irradiation.

LaF3:Ce,Tb@SiO2 core-shell nanostructures were synthesized using a new one-pot reverse microemulsion strategy. One-pot method facilitates the synthetic process of this kind of core-shell nanostructures. The crystalline phase, size, morphology, pore structure and luminescence properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen physisorption isotherm, photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra. The results revealed that the core-shell nanostructures have an average diameter of about 27 nm and cores of about 3 nm, and that these nanostructures contain micropores with an average pore diameter of 0.43 nm. The characteristic emissions of Tb3+ were observed under the excitation of Ce3+ 4f–5d transition due to the energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+. LaF3:Ce,Tb@SiO2 nanostructures can disperse well in water and the colloid can emit bright green light under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.