Synthesis and luminescence properties of core-shell structured (lanthanum(1-x)europium(x))(2)zirconium heptoxid[at]yttrium orthoborate spherical nanoparticles

Many rare earth compounds have photoluminescent characteristics for various important applications. In this study, europium doped La2Zr 2O7 nanoparticles were first synthesized morphology-controllably by using a molten-salt synthesis method. These nanoparticles were used as the core for coating with YBO3 shell. We then explored the effect of different experimental processing parameters, such as annealing temperatures, reaction times and different ratios of salt mixtures on the structure and morphology of these nanoparticles. The overall core size and shell thickness can be controlled by varying the reactant concentration both the core and shell material. These core@shell nanoparticles were then characterized mainly using power x-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, and photoluminescence measurements. More importantly, their photoluminescence was carefully studied. These special properties allow these compounds as excellent candidates for broad applications in various devices, such as in lighting devices and radiation detectors.;Key Words: Core-shell nanoparticles, growth kinetics, SEM, TEM and photoluminescence.