Preparation and fluorescence properties of crystalline gel rare earth phosphates

An aqueous solution of sodium dihydrogen phosphate was mixed with a aqueous solution of lanthanum nitrate and stirred for 24 h, and the pH was adjusted to 11 using ammonia. The obtained phosphates were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The lanthanum phosphate gel was obtained with a large amount of water. The fluorescence of the gels was investigated by substituting a part of the lanthanum cations with cerium, terbium, and europium cations. UV-vis reflectance and fluorescence spectra of these substituted materials were obtained and analyzed. Rrare-earth phosphate gels with large amounts of water exhibited bluish purple, green, and red fluorescence when cation ratios of La/Ce = 70/30, La/Ce/Tb = 55/30/15, and La/Eu = 95/5 were used, respectively.