Synthesis and characterizations of spherical Eu:La2O3 and related core/shell nanoparticles

• Used homogeneous precipitation to prepare nanoparticles
• Synthesized Eu:La2O3 and Eu:La2O3-based core/shell precursors
• Particles are monodispersed and spherical.
• Heat treatment leads to formation of oxide phases.
• XRD and fluorescence are dominated by signals from core.

By identifying a suitable concentration ratio of salt/citric-acid/urea, we demonstrate that homogeneous precipitation in the presence of a citric acid capping agent can be used to synthesize spherical Eu:La2O3 precursor (p-Eu:La2O3) nanoparticles with a (375 ± 60) nm diameter. Subsequent calcination of the precursor yields crystalline Eu:La2O3. We use the same synthesis technique to prepare various core/shell nanostructures such as p-Eu:La2O3/p-Tb:Y2O3, SiO2/p-Eu:La2O3, and p-Tb:Y2CO3/p-Eu:La2O3. In the absence of citric acid, we obtain one- or two-dimensional nanostructures.

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