Microwave-assisted synthesis of hydrophilic BaYF5:Tb/Ce,Tb green fluorescent colloid nanocrystals

Abstract

Hydrophilic Ce, Tb doped BaYF₅ nanocrystals with uniform size were synthesized by a microwave-assisted route. The synthesized nanocrystals can be well dispersed in hydrophilic solutions (DMSO, DMF, EG, H₂O). This synthesis procedure represents a less time consuming method, with high product yield and without using any assistant or/and template reagents, which may be expected to be a general method for rapid synthesis of other hydrophilic RE doped fluoride fluorescent nanocrystals. The Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ codoped BaYF₅ nanocrystals show bright green fluorescence emission. The Ce³⁺ acts as an effective energy transfer medium and the emission at the high ⁵D₃ energy level of Tb is enhanced in this host material.