Structural and spectroscopic investigations on the quenching free luminescence of europium oxalate nanocrystals

Abstract

The structural features leading to the intense quenching free luminescence exhibited by europium oxalate nanocrystals, poly[[hexaaquatri-μ2-oxalato-dieuropium] 4.34-hydrate], {[Eu2(C2O4)3(H2O)6]·4.34H2O} n , is the focal point of this report. Europium oxalate nanocrystals were synthesized by a simple microwave-assisted co-precipitation method. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the monoclinic structure of the nanocrystals and the phase purity. The morphology and particle size were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Luminescence measurements on a series of samples of La2–x Eu x (C2O4)3·10H2O, with x varying in the range 0.1 to 2, established the quenching free nature exhibited by the europium oxalate nanocrystals. A single-crystal structure analysis was carried out and the quenching free luminescence is explained on the basis of the crystal structure. A detailed photoluminescence characterization was carried out using excitation and emission studies, decay analysis, and CIE coordinate and colour purity evaluation. The various spectroscopic parameters were evaluated by Judd–Ofelt theoretical analysis and the results are discussed on the basis of the crystal structure analysis.