Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence property of NaSm(MoO4)2 octahedral crystals

Uniform NaSm(MoO4)(2) octahedral crystals were successfully synthesized by microwave heating method. The as-obtained products were characterized by powder X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer. The particle size and morphology of NaSm(MoO4)(2) crystals can be tuned effectively by adjusting the reaction temperature, the amount of NaAc and the volume ratio of ethylene glycol to H2O. The excitation spectra of the NaSm(MoO4)(2) octahedral crystals were observed with a maximum peak at 404 nm (lambda(em) = 646 nm). The emission spectra were recorded under excitation wavelength of 404 nm and exhibited the strongest peak at 646 nm. In addition, the results revealed the size effect on the PL intensity of NaSm(MoO4)(2) crystals, that the PL intensity of microcrystals is higher than that of nanocrystals, and proved that the NaSm(MoO4)(2) crystals might have potential application in the areas such as optoelectronic materials in the future.