Synthesis of nanocrystalline REBO3 (RE=Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho) and YBO3:Eu using a borohydride-based solution precursor route

A solution precursor route has been used to synthesize a series of nanocrystalline rare-earth borates. Amorphous precursor powders are precipitated during an aqueous reaction between RE3+ and NaBH4, and the isolated powders can be annealed in air at 700 °C to form YBO3, NdBO3, SmBO3, EuBO3, GdBO3, and HoBO3. YBO3:Eu formed using this strategy shows red-orange emission properties that are similar to high-quality nanocrystals prepared by other methods. The materials have been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, powder XRD, SEM, DSC, UV–Vis fluorimetry, and TEM with EDS and element mapping.

Graphical abstractAmorphous nanoscopic precursor powders are formed through the aqueous reaction of RE3+ with NaBH4. Once isolated, the powders can be annealed at 700 °C in air to form a series of nanocrystalline REBO3 orthoborates. Nanocrystalline YBO3:Eu formed using this strategy shows red-orange emission properties when excited with UV light.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide