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LaF3: Pr3+ hollow hexagon nanostructures via green and eco-friendly synthesis and their photoluminescence properties

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Abstract

LaF3 nanocrystals (NCs) are usually used as good host matrix for down-conversion phosphors owing to their impressive photophysical properties. In this study, Pr3+-activated LaF3 with hollow hexagon nanostructures (HHNs) is achieved by a green and eco-friendly hydrothermal method without any catalyst, template, or surfactant. The pore structure of the LaF3 HHNs is greatly affected by the content of Pr3+ ions and hydrothermal reaction time. The LaF3: Pr3+ NCs excited by 467 nm light show strong emission peaks locating in visible light region (centered at 612 and 635 nm) and the first biological window region (existed in 689 and 721 nm), respectively. The relative photoluminescence (PL) intensity of LaF3: Pr3+ NCs from 20 to 60 °C (biological temperature) decreases slightly and decreases only 20% at 120 °C. The PL emission intensity could reach the maximal value with doping ~ 1.5% Pr3+ ions. Based on the outstanding photophysical properties, LaF3: Pr3+ NCs will be used for both warm white light-emitting diodes and bio-imaging.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 11204307, 51471162), the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams, the Foundation of Director of Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 2016DFY06), and Higher School Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Province (TSKJ2017B19).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanostructure, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People’s Republic of China

    Honge Wu, Ming Fang, Guang Tao Fei, Ze Min Hu & Li De Zhang

  2. University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, People’s Republic of China

    Honge Wu

  3. College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, 241000, China

    Honge Wu

  4. School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, People’s Republic of China

    Ming Fang

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  1. Honge Wu
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  2. Ming Fang
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  3. Guang Tao Fei
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  5. Li De Zhang
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Correspondence to Ming Fang or Guang Tao Fei.

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Wu, H., Fang, M., Fei, G.T. et al. LaF3: Pr3+ hollow hexagon nanostructures via green and eco-friendly synthesis and their photoluminescence properties. J Mater Sci 54, 2897–2907 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-3042-5

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