Crystallization-Dependent Luminescence Properties of Ce:LuPO₄

Abstract

The luminescence properties of Ce:LuPO₄ depend on both the Ce³⁺ center and the host lattice. In this article, we studied the dependence of the luminescence properties of Ce:LuPO₄ on both the doping concentration of Ce³⁺ and the size and morphology of the LuPO₄ matrix at micro- and nanosize regimes. The crystalline behavior of Ce:LuPO₄, including its size and shape, was investigated via precursor transformation crystallization. On the basis of this crystallization approach, Ce:LuPO₄ hollow nanospheres, nanorods, and regular tetrahedrons were obtained. For micro- and nanostructured Ce:LuPO₄, the surface-induced chemical bonding architecture can be effectively varied by controlling the size of the crystalline material and its geometry. Our experimental observations demonstrate that one-dimensional Ce:LuPO₄ nanorods doped with 0.1 mol % Ce³⁺ possess the best performance among the as-prepared samples. The significant anisotropy of Ce:LuPO₄ nanorods can result in a larger specific surface area and enhanced luminescence properties. Moreover, the improved luminescence property of Ce:LuPO₄ nanostructures can also be optimized by increasing the preferential anisotropic chemical bonding architecture to regulate the 5<i>d</i> level of Ce³⁺. Our work also shows that the photoluminescence emission intensity of Ce:LuPO₄ nanorods is increased as the surface area normal to their axial direction increases. From the standpoint of crystallization, the luminescence properties of Ce³⁺ in nano- and microsize matrixes can be well-optimized by controlling the crystalline behavior of the host lattice under proper synthesis conditions