Solvothermal synthesis and tunable luminescence of Tb3+, Eu3+ codoped YF3 nano- and micro-crystals with uniform morphologies

► YF3 nano- and micro-crystals were synthesized through solvothermal route. ► A formation mechanism of the sandwich-structural rhombus like YF3 was proposed. ► The emitting colors of YF3:Tb3+,Eu3+ phosphors can be tuned. ► Energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ is confirmed as electric dipole-dipole interaction.