Highly uniform NaLa(MoO4)2:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Dy) microspheres: template-free hydrothermal synthesis, growing mechanism, and luminescent properties

Abstract

Uniform and well-crystallized NaLa(MoO4)2 microspheres were prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis without involving any surfactants or templates. The as-obtained products were systematically characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and photoluminescent excitation spectra (PLE). The influence of the starting pH value on the phase and morphology of NaLa(MoO4)2 microspheres was discussed. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the microspheres was dominated by the consequence of a fast crystallization, dissolution and recrystallization. Finally, the luminescent properties of Eu3+ and Dy3+ ion activated NaLa(MoO4)2 microspheres were investigated. The results demonstrated that NaLa(MoO4)2:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Dy) microspheres exhibited good luminescent properties and might have potential applications in lighting technology.