Crystal structure, morphology and luminescent properties of rare earthion-doped SrHPO4 nanomaterials

Abstract

Undoped and rare earth ions (Eu3+, Ce3+, Tb3+) doped β-SrHPO4 nanomaterials were successfully prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, morphology and luminescent properties were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and luminescence decay curves. The results indicated that the undoped and rare earth ions doped SrHPO4 nanomaterials (the doping concentration was not above 7%) were well crystallized, with the same crystal structure (β-SrHPO4). Nevertheless, the doping of rare earth ions could lead to the changing of morphology from nanoflakes to nanocrystals. Under the excitation of UV light, rare earth ions (Eu3+, Ce3+, Tb3+) doped β-SrHPO4 nanocrystals exhibited the characteristic emission of Eu3+, Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions, respectively. The luminescence decay curves of β-SrHPO4:Eu3+ and β-SrHPO4:Ce3+,Tb3+ nanocrystals conformed to the double exponential fluorescence decay, and the average lifetimes were 1.14 and 4.12 ms, respectively. The luminescence decay curve of β-SrHPO4:Ce3+ was fitted into a single exponential function, and the lifetime was about 0.78 ns.