BaGdF5:Ce3+, Ln3+ (Ln=Eu and Tb) nanoparticles: Tunable multicolor emission and magnetic property

• BaGdF5:Ce3+, Ln3+ nanoparticles were fabricated by a hydrothermal process.
• Citrate plays double roles as ligand and shape modifier to modulate phase and shape.
• The multifunctional samples show tunable multicolor emissions and magnetic property.

BaGdF5:Ce3+, Ln3+ (Ln=Eu and Tb) nanoparticles with tunable multicolor emission and magnetic property were fabricated by a facile hydrothermal process. The citrate ions as ligand and shape modifier was introduced into the reaction system to modulate the crystal phase and shape of the products. By simply adjusting the relative concentrations of co-doped Eu3+/Tb3+ ions, the multicolor luminescence in BaGdF5 host lattice is realized successfully. In addition, the BaGdF5:Ce3+,Tb3+ sample shows paramagnetic property at room temperature with mass magnetic susceptibility value of 0.71×10−4 emu/g Oe. The as-prepared multifunctional nanomaterials may find potential applications in displays and multiple biolabels.