Synthesis and strong near-infrared fluorescence of LiLa1−xNdx(PO3)4 nanocrystals with high doping concentrations

A series of LiLa(1-x)Nd(x)(PO(3))(4) (LLNP) nanocrystals are synthesized by a combustion method for the first time. With irregular short-rod shapes and an average size of about 70 nm, the LiLa(1-x)Nd(x)(PO(3))(4) nanocrystals exhibit stronger fluorescence emission of 1.8-6.5 times in the doping concentration range of 1 mol% to 100 mol% than Nd(3+) (2.5 wt%) doped phosphate glass, and have a long lifetime of 122 μs for the fully doped nanocrystals. Moreover, the LiLa(1-x)Nd(x)(PO(3))(4) nanocrystals show the lowest lifetime decay rate of 5.09 μs per mol% and a quenching ratio of 10.81%. Considering the above outstanding performances, LiLa(1-x)Nd(x)(PO(3))(4) nanocrystals may have promising applications in optical amplifiers and lasers.