Mesoporous rare earth fluoride nanocrystals and their photoluminescence properties

YF3 and YF3:Eu3+ mesoporous hexagonal nanocrystals were successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process based on the in situ assembly of the as-synthesized YF3 and YF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles. The well defined mesoporous nanostructures are formed by phenanthroline assisted assembly of ∼20 nm nanoparticles, and 2–4 nm pores are contained as indicated by N2 adsorption–desorption studies. The obtained YF3:Eu3+ mesoporous hexagonal nanoplates show a significant photoluminescence intensity enhancement compared with other shaped YF3:Eu3+ nanocrystals.

Nanoparticles assembly construction for YF3 and YF3:Eu3+ mesoporous (pore size, 2–4 nm) hexagonal nanoplates and the significant enhancement in PL intensity.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (97 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► YF3 and YF3:Eu3+ mesoporous nanocrystals were synthesized by an assembly route.
► YF3:Eu3+ mesoporous nanoplates show a significant PL intensity enhancement.
► This assembly strategy is a novel method for mesoporous materials preparation.