Formation mechanism, fluorescence and magnetic properties of nanorods GdPO4•H2O:Eu3+

Abstract

A series of GdPO4•H2O:xEu3+ nanorod-like phosphors were prepared using the hydrothermal method. The microstructure, morphology, luminescence and magnetic properties of the phosphors were characterized and analyzed by means of X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, fluorescence spectrophotometer and magnetometer. The morphological formation mechanism of nanorod-like phosphors was mainly researched; and the effect of Eu3+ doping concentration on the luminescent properties of GdPO4•H2O:Eu3+ phosphors was investigated. The results indicated that all the products prepared were of the hexagonal crystal structure, with the morphology of nanorod. The growth mechanism of nanorod-like phosphors in the solution followed the general mechanism of material growth, that is, the process of nucleation-dissolution-recrystallization-crystal growth. The optimal doping molar concentration of activator Eu3+ was 12%; the critical distance of energy transfer between Eu3+ was 1.1 nm, and the concentration quenching mechanism was mainly electric dipole-electric quadrupole interaction. The color of the optimal phosphor GdPO4•H2O:12%Eu3+ was orange-red; the fluorescence lifetime was 2.51 ms. It had good paramagnetism, and the mass susceptibility was 1.17 × 10−4 emu/gOe.