Rapid Aqueous-Phase Synthesis and Photoluminescence Properties of K0.3Bi0.7F2.4:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Pr, Nd, Sm, Dy) Nanocrystalline Particles

Abstract

Trivalent lanthanides (Ln3+) doped bismuth-based inorganic compounds have attracted considerable interest as promising candidates for next-generation inorganic luminescent materials. Here, a series of K0.3Bi0.7F2.4 (KBF) nanocrystalline particles with controlled morphology have been synthesized through a low-temperature aqueous-phase precipitation method. Using KBF as the host matrix, Eu3+, Tb3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, and Dy3+ ions are introduced to obtain K0.3Bi0.7F2.4:Ln3+ (KBF:Ln) nanophosphors. The as-prepared KBF:Ln nanophosphors exhibit commendable photoluminescence properties, in which multicolor emissions in a single host lattice can be obtained by doping different Ln3+ ions when excited by ultraviolet light. Moreover, the morphology and photoluminescence performance of these nanophosphors remain unchanged under different soaking times in water, showing good stability in a humid environment. The proposed simple and rapid synthesis route, low-cost and nontoxic bismuth-based host matrix, and tunable luminescent colors will lead the way to access these KBF:Ln nanophosphors for appealing applications such as white LEDs and optical thermometry.