Synthesis, Morphology Control and Luminescent Properties of Rare Earth Ion-Doped CaWO4 Microstructures

Rare earth ions (Tb3+, Eu3+) doped CaWO4 microstructures were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route without using any templates and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The results indicate that the asprepared samples are well crystallized with scheelite structure of CaWO4, and the average diameter of the microstructures is 2 similar to 4 mu m. The morphology of CaWO4:Eu3+ microstructures can be controllably changed from microspheres to microflowers through altering the doping concentration of Eu3+ from 3% to 35%, and the microflowers are constructed by a number of CaWO4:Eu3+ nanoflakes. Under the excitation of UV light, the emission spectrum of CaWO4:Eu3+ is composed of the characteristics emission of Eu3+ D-5(0) - F-7(J) (J = 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions, and that of CaWO4:Tb3+ is composed of Tb3+ D-5(4) -F-7(J) (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions. Both of the optimal doping concentrations of Tb3+ and Eu3+ in CaWO4 microstructures are about 5%.