Investigation on the preparation and luminescence emission of LaF3:Eu3+@LaF3/SiO2 core-shell nanostructure

Abstract LaF 3 :Eu 3+ , LaF 3 :Eu 3+ @LaF 3 , LaF 3 :Eu 3+ @CeF 3 and LaF 3 :Eu 3+ @SiO 2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal route and modified Stober method. The surface property of LaF 3 :Eu 3+ particle was successfully modified by coating LaF 3 and SiO 2 shell onto the particle, which resulted in the change of the surface property and luminescence emission of LaF 3 :Eu 3+ . It was found that the surface quenchers were decreased and thus the nonradiative pathways were reduced with core/shell structure, which not only enhanced the yellow emission of the sample, but also changed the intensity ratio of the yellow to orange emission. The dependence of the shell property and shell thickness on the luminescence emission spectra were investigated systematically. The current investigation can provide useful information for developing applications in biological imaging, detection, and sensing and other aspects.