Quasi-spherical LuBO{sub 3} nanoparticles: Synthesis, formation, and luminescence properties
Graphical abstract: Quasi-spherical LuBO3 nanoparticles have been prepared via a facile hydrothermal route. The possible growth mechanism and the luminescent properties of the as-prepared microcrystals have been discussed. - Highlights: • LuBO{sub 3} nanoparticles were prepared by a facile hydrothermal route. • The Eu{sup 3+} and Tb{sup 3+}-doped LuBO{sub 3} products show strong red and green emissions. • This method may be more widely applicable in the design of other rare-earth compounds. - Abstract: Quasi-spherical LuBO{sub 3} nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a designed hydrothermal conversion method. The Lu(OH)CO{sub 3} nanoparticles were first prepared by a simple homogeneous precipitation method. Subsequently, LuBO{sub 3} nanoparticles were synthesized at the expense of the Lu(OH)CO{sub 3} nanoparticles during a hydrothermal conversion process. The conversion process from the Lu(OH)CO{sub 3} precursor to LuBO{sub 3} nanoparticles was investigated by time-dependent experiments. Moreover, the as-obtained Eu{sup 3+} and Tb{sup 3+}-doped LuBO{sub 3} products show strong characteristic red and green emissions under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beam excitation, respectively. This work sheds some light on the knowledge of conversion of different kind of lutetium compounds, and the luminescent properties have potential applications in fluorescent lamps and field emission displays. More importantly, this simple method is expected to allow the large-scale production of other complex rare-earth compounds with controllable morphologies and sizes, and exploration of the morphology and photoluminescence properties.