Electrospinning synthesis and luminescence properties of one-dimensional La-9.33(SiO4)(6)O-2: Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) microfibers

One-dimensional La-9.33(SiO4)(6)O-2: Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) microfibers were fabricated by a simple and cost-effective electrospinning method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL) and low voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) as well as kinetic decay were used to characterize the resulting samples. SEM and TEM results indicated that the diameter of the microfibers annealed at 1000 degrees C for 3 h was 200-245 nm. The microfibers were further composed of fine and closely linked nanoparticles. La-9.33(SiO4)(6)O-2: Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) phosphors showed the characteristic emission of Ce3+ (5d -> 4f), Eu3+ (D-5(0) -> F-7(J)) and Tb3+ (D-5(3,4) -> F-7(J)) under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beams (3-5 kV) excitation. An energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ was observed in the La-9.33(SiO4)(6)O-2: Ce3+, Tb3+ phosphor under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beam excitation. Luminescence mechanisms were proposed to explain the observed phenomena. Blue, red and green emission can be realized in La-9.33(SiO4)(6)O-2: Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) microfibers by changing the doping ions. So the La-9.33(SiO4)(6)O-2: Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) phosphors have potential applications in full-color field emission displays.