Green Synthesis of Gd(OH)3 and Eu:Gd(OH)3 Nanorods: Effect of Reaction Parameters on Morphology, Crystallinity and Thermal Conversion to Photoluminescent Oxide Nanorods

Abstract

Through a green approach using water as a solvent, nanorods of Gd(OH)3 in the diameter range of 15–50 nm and lengths varying from 40 nm to 290 nm were synthesized at low temperatures with high crystallinity. The as-prepared Gd(OH)3 nanorods were characterized by various methods like XRD, TGA, TEM, etc. The effect of reaction time, base and surface directing agent on the crystallinity and morphology of Gd(OH)3 powders were also investigated. Further, through a similar route Eu doped Gd(OH)3 nanorods were also prepared (showing a similar morphology as undoped powders) that were annealed at modest temperatures to obtain Eu:Gd2O3 powders and their photoluminescence properties were analyzed.