Controlled synthesis and photoluminescence properties of LaPO4:Ce nanowires

The wire-like nanocrystalline LaPO4:Ce was synthesized using a solvothermal method. The obtained products were characterized through X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscope and photoluminescence. The possible growth mechanism of LaPO4:Ce nanowires was also explored. The results show that LaPO4:Ce nanowires have the monoclinic phase with high purity and they are well crystallized as uniform nanowires with lengths of several microns and diameters of about 50 nm. The photoluminescence spectrum of the as-synthesized LaPO4:Ce nanowires feature two emission bands around 390 nm (3. 18 eV) and 423 nm (2.93 eV), corresponding to the transitions from 5d(1)-4f(1) transition for Ce3+.