Electronic and crystal structure, EPR and magnetic investigations of YF3:1%RE (REÂ =Â Pr, Ho, Er and Tm) and LaF3:1%Pr nanocrystals

A new chemical synthesis route by a thermal decomposition of nitrates and acetates, preceded by solution displacement reaction, was successfully applied to obtain the YF3:1%RE (RE = Pr, Ho, Er and Tm) and LaF3:1%Pr nanocrystals. The samples were characterized by the following methods: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), magnetic susceptibility thermal dependence measurements and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The obtained YF3:1%RE (RE = Pr, Ho, Er and Tm) materials crystallized with orthorhombic symmetry, whilst LaF3:1%Pr exhibits hexagonal structure. Chemical composition determined by EDX, XPS and magnetic measurements was close to nominal formula. SEM images show the nanometric size of the grains. Surface contamination can be suggested to be responsible for the deterioration of the optical properties of the composites.