Microwave synthesis and studies room temperature optical properties of LaF3: Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+ nanocrystals

Lanthanum fluoride (LaF 3 :Ce 3+ , Pr 3+ , Nd 3+ ) was synthesized by water soluble LaCl 3 + CeCl 3 + PrCl 3 + NdCl 3 and NH 4 F as starting materials in de-ionized water as solvent using microwave assisted technique.The structure of LaF 3 :Ce 3+ , Pr 3+ , Nd 3+ nanocrystals analyzed by XRD and TEM analysis is found to be in hexagonal structure and average crystalline particle size is 20 nm (JCPDS standard card (32-0483) of pure hexagonal LaF 3 crystals).The absorption edge in UV spectra is found at 250 nm corresponding to energy of 4.9 eV.It further shows a wide transparent window lying between 200 nm-800 nm.For LaF 3 ; Ce 3+ , Pr 3+ , Nd 3+ nanocrystals emission of blue color (458 nm) has been observed with at an excitation wavelength of 254 nm.The measured relative second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of LaF 3 : Ce 3+ , Pr 3+ , Nd 3+ in de-ionized water with respect to KDP crystal is 0.186.