Synthesis, structure and luminescent properties of Lu(PO3)3

Abstract A new structural type of rare earth metaphosphate, Lu(PO 3 ) 3 , was prepared from high-temperature solution, of which the crystal structure was solved in S.G. of C c (No.9) and Z = 4 with unit cell dimensions of a = 13.972(3) A, b = 6.6710(13) A, c = 9.958(2) A and β = 127.36(3)°. In Lu(PO 3 ) 3 , [LuO 6 ] octahedra connect with the non-bridging oxygens on (PO 3 ) n infinite zigzag chains that extended along c -axis. The VUV and X-ray excited luminescent properties of undoped and Ln 3+ (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) doped samples were examined, from which the optical band gap was estimated to be 8.3 eV. Besides, in the undoped sample a STE emission within 320–480 nm was observed, which probably be related to oxygen defects. However, in the Lu(PO 3 ) 3 :Ce sample the Ce 3+ emission was weak and STE emission was totally quenched under hard X-ray excitation.