Preparation and luminescence of europium-doped lanthanum fluoride–benzoic acid hybrid nanostructures

Europium-doped lanthanum fluoride (LaF3:Eu3+) nanoparticles were synthesized using a solvothermal method, and they were then capped with benzoic acid (BA) ligands to form LaF3:Eu3+–BA hybrid nanostructures. The LaF3:Eu3+–BA hybrid nanostructures showed strong luminescence as a result of energy transfer from BA to the Eu3+ ions of the LaF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles. The dominant excitation band for the LaF3:Eu3+–BA hybrid nanostructures ranged from 200 nm to 300 nm. It has been shown that the luminescence of LaF3:Eu3+–BA hybrid nanostructures strongly depends on the pH value and content of benzoic acid used in the preparation of the hybrid nanostructures. An X-ray diffraction technique, transmission electron microscopy, luminescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and a UV–vis spectrophotometer were used to characterize the products.