Multifunctional luminescent nanofibres from Eu3+-doped La2O2SO4 with enhanced oxygen storage capability

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 695; pp. 202 - 207
• Main Authors: Yang, Mei, Shi, Haiyan, Ma, Liwei, Gui, Qingyuan, Ma, Jinlei, Lin, Mimi, Sunna, Anwar, Zhang, Wenjing, Dai, Liming, Qu, Jia, Liu, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.02.2017
• Subjects: Lanthanide oxysulfates; Luminescence properties; Nanofibres; Oxygen storage; Nanofibres; Luminescence properties; Oxygen storage; Lanthanide oxysulfates
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.10.164

The controlled synthesis of La2O2SO4:Eu3+ nanofibres (NF) for luminescent applications is presented here for the first time. Three dimensional nanofibrous structures with average diameter of 90 nm were prepared successfully. Eu3+ ions were further doped to study the luminescent property and phase structure. A strong red luminescence was obtained at the as-prepared NF. High asymmetry ratio (R) in the emission spectrum indicated that the Eu3+ ions were located in a distorted cation environment and the luminescent NF obtained possessed a good colour purity. The emission intensity of the resulting NF varied with different Eu3+ contents with the best emission brightness obtained at 20% Eu3+ doping. An 18% improved luminescence decay time at a relative lower annealing temperature (650 °C) was obtained for the nanofibrous structure when compared to the corresponding bulk materials (BM). The quantum efficiency (QE) of the as-synthesised NF was found to be 6.3%, which was 17% enhanced from the QE of BM (5.4%). Oxidation activity of NF compared to BM was measured using Temperature-Programmed Reduction (TPR). The TPR peak temperature for the consumption of hydrogen was decreased 12% with the employment of NF, suggesting well improved oxygen storage capability of the resulting NF. Our results indicate the multifunctional applications of the resulting NF in different fields such as optics and oxygen storage. Eu3+-doped La2O2SO4 nanofibres with enhanced luminescence properties and oxygen storage capability were prepared. [Display omitted] •Well defined luminescent nanofibres were prepared from the Eu3+-doped La2O2SO4.•A strong red luminescence with good colour purity was obtained on the luminescent nanofibers.•18% improved luminescence decay time and 17% enhanced quantum efficiency were achieved.•12% decreased TPR peak temperature for H2 consumption was obtained using the nanofibres.