Polyol-mediated solvothermal synthesis and luminescence properties of CeF3, and CeF3:Tb3+ nanocrystals

CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ nanocrystals were successfully synthesized through a facile and effective polyol-mediated route with ethylene glycol (EG) as solvent. Various experimental techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as decay dynamics were used to characterize the samples. The results indicated that the content of NH4F and reactant concentrations were key factors in the product shape and size. Excessive NH4F was necessary for the formation of hexagonal nanoplates. The specific morphology of product can be controlled by changing the NH4F content and reactant concentrations. In addition, Tb3+ doped-CeF3 sample shows strong green emission centered at 544 nm corresponding to the 5D4–7F5 transition of Tb3+. Due to the decrease of nonradiative decay rate, the lifetime of 5D4 level of Tb3+ become longer gradually upon increasing the size of product.