Controlled synthesis and luminescent properties of different morphologies GdBO3:Eu3+ phosphors self-assembled of nanoparticles

•Cake-like and olive-like GdBO3 self-assembled of nanoparticles were synthesized.•This method used Gd(OH)CO3 and NaBO2·4H2O as the precursors for the first time.•When a small amount of ethanol was added, different morphologies can be obtained.

Uniform cake-like and olive-like GdBO3 samples have been successfully synthesized for the first time via a simple solution-based hydrothermal method using Gd(OH)CO3 colloid spheres and NaBO2·4H2O as the precursors. It was found that small amount ethanol in the hydrothermal process was responsible for determining the shape of products. The FT-IR analysis indicates that vaterite-type GdBO3 can be synthesized by this method. The obtained cake-like and olive-like GdBO3 with rough surfaces have similar mircostructures which are composed of numerous nanoparticles. Time-dependent experiments were employed to study the possible formation mechanism. The formation of cake-like and olive-like GdBO3 mircostructures self-assembled of nanoparticles can be ascribed to the Ostwald ripening process. A detailed investigation on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of GdBO3:Eu3+ samples with different morphologies indicates that the PL properties of as-obtained GdBO3:Eu3+ phosphors are dependent on their morphologies. The effect of Eu3+ doping concentration on PL intensity was also investigated and the quenching concentration of GdBO3:Eu3+ is 20%.

Graphical abstractSmall amount of ethanol has a favorable effect on controlling the products’ morphology. The formation of cake-like and olive-like GdBO3 microcrystals self-assembled of nanoparticles can be assigned to the Ostwald ripening process.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide