Synthesis of REF 3 (RE = Nd, Tb) nanoparticles via a solvent extraction route

Abstract

NdF 3 and TbF 3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a solvent extraction route using Cynex923 (R 3P O). X-ray diffraction (XRD) study showed that pure hexagonal phase NdF 3 and pure orthorhombic phase TbF 3 could be obtained under the current synthetic conditions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that as-obtained NdF 3 nanoplates have a diameter of 50–80 nm and thickness of 10–20 nm and TbF 3 products have sphere morphologies with diameter from 70 to 170 nm. The driving force for the growth of NdF 3 nanoplates could be attributed to the hexagonal crystal structure. The luminescence properties of NdF 3 and TbF 3 nanoparticles were investigated, which indicated that NdF 3 nanoparticles showed typical emission at 888, 1064, and 1328 nm and TbF 3 nanoparticles showed characteristic emission of Tb 3+ (f–f).