RE3+ (RE = Ce3+, Tb3+) doped BaGdF5 nanocrystals: Synthesis, optical and magnetic properties, and energy transfer

Abstract Through a citric acid assisted hydrothermal method, the RE 3+ (RE 3+ = Ce 3+ , Tb 3+ ) doped cubic phase BaGdF 5 nanocrystals with a sphere-like morphology and an average size of 30 nm have been synthesized. The samples show paramagnetic properties at 300 K. The photoluminescence spectra of the obtained samples suggest that the existence of Ce 3+ can dramatically enhance the emission intensity of Tb 3+ due to an efficient energy transfer from Ce 3+ to Tb 3+ . The energy transfer efficiency from Ce 3+ to Tb 3+ , the critical energy transfer distance between Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ , and the energy transfer mechanism of Ce 3+ –Tb 3+ are discussed based on the experimental data and the theoretical analysis.