Synthesis, characterization and luminescence properties of ZrBDC:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ nanoscaled metal organic frameworks

Abstract

Zirconium nanoscaled metal-organic framevvorks doped and co-doped with Eu³⁺ and/or Tb³⁺ (ZrBDC:Fu³⁺,Tb³⁺) have been synthesized by hydrothermal method using 1,4-dicarboxylic acid as linkers. The luminescence spectra obtained indicated that under 254 nm excitation, the as-synthcsized ZrBDC:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺; and ZrO₂:Lu³⁺,Tb³⁺ nanopurticles have multicolour visible emissions at 473. 591. 612 and 701 nm assigncd to the ⁵Do→⁷F₁, ⁵Do→⁷F₂, ⁵Do→⁷F₃ and ⁵Do→⁷F₄ transition of Eu³⁺ ions and at 488.582 and 621 nm assigned to ⁵D₄→⁷F; ⁵D₄→⁷F₅; ⁵D₄→⁷F₄ and ⁵D₄→⁷F₃ transitions of Tb³⁺ ions, respectively. The X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy results suggest that the ZrBDC:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ nanoscaled metal organic frameworks can be used as precursors to design the tetragonal phase of ZrO₂:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ nanoparticles with high purity and a narrow size distribution via heat treatment process. The as-prepared ZrO₂:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ nanopanicles have size of about 10-15 nm with BET multipoint surface area of 162 m²/g.