Highly bright multicolour emission through energy migration in core/shell nanotubes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Luminescence

Background:

• Lanthanide-doped nanomaterials are crucial for optical applications.
• Controlling ion distribution in core/shell structures is key to tuning luminescence.
• Gadolinium fluoride (NaGdF4) is a promising host for lanthanide luminescence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel gadolinium-based core/shell/shell nanotube structure.
• To investigate the luminescence properties of lanthanide ions in a layered NaGdF4 host.
• To understand energy transfer mechanisms for multicolor emission.

Main Methods:

• Facile and environmentally-friendly synthesis of core/shell/shell nanotubes.
• Incorporation of different lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Sm3+) into separated layers.
• Systematic investigation of luminescence properties via UV excitation and energy migration.

Main Results:

• Achieved efficient down-conversion emission through Gd(3+)-mediated energy migration.
• Demonstrated multicolor emissions by doping with various lanthanide ions via Ce(3+)→Gd(3+)→Ln(3+) and Ce(3+)→Ln(3+) pathways.
• Observed a decrease in Eu(3+) emission intensity with increasing interlayer thickness in specific nanotube configurations.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized nanotube structure facilitates controlled lanthanide ion luminescence.
• Gadolinium sublattice plays a crucial role in energy migration for efficient down-conversion.
• Layered structure and interlayer thickness influence luminescence intensity, offering tunable optical properties.