White light emission and fluorescence enhancement of rare earth RE3+ (Tb, Eu, Dy) doped CeF3 nanoparticles

Abstract In this study, CeF3: Tb3+, Eu3+, and CeF3: Tb3+, Dy3+ nanoparticles with different Tb3+ ion doping concentrations were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, surface functional groups, fluorescence properties and fluorescence lifetime of nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results show that the CeF3: Tb3+, Eu3+, and CeF3: Tb3+, Dy3+ nanoparticles synthesized with the doping concentration of Tb3+ at 6 mol% exhibit the best luminescence intensity. The emission spectrum of CeF3: Tb3+, Eu3+ nanoparticles showed typical green light emission and red emission, and the obvious Ce3+→Tb3+→Eu3+ energy transfer process. The emission spectrum of CeF3: Tb3+, Dy3+ nanoparticles showed green light emission, and the Dy3+→Tb3+ energy transfer process. These studies are expected to expand the potential applications of CeF3 in solid-state lighting and fluorescent displays.