Eu³⁺‐doped LaF₃‐based inorganic–organic hybrid nanostructured materials for broad‐spectrum excitation and strong photoluminescence

Abstract

Inorganic-organic hybrid nanoparticles formed by lanthanide-doped nanostructures and organic ligands have been intensively studied, which could greatly increase their photoluminescence performance as a result of the energy transfer process from organic ligands to Ln 3+ ions. However, the photoluminescence intensity and excitation spectral width are still quite limited on coordinating with a single type of organic ligand. In this work, Eu 3+ -doped LaF 3 (LaF 3 :Eu 3+ ) nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method, and were then hybridized with benzoic acid and thenoyltrifluoroacetone to form the hybrid nanostructures. After that, the hybrid nanostructures were mixed with 2,2 0 -azobisisobutyronitrile and methyl methacrylate to prepare the composites. The sample obtained by hybridization and composite doping with 5% Eu 3+ exhibited the best photoluminescence performance. The excitation peak width and luminescence intensity of the hybrid nanostructures were significantly increased. The excitation spectral width of the inorganic-organic mixed hybrid nanostructures was particularly enhanced, and covered the whole ultraviolet band region of solar light on Earth. The prepared composites exhibited good optical properties.