Ionic liquid-based hydrothermal synthesis of Lu2O3 and Lu2O3:Eu3+ microcrysals

Uniform and well-defined Lu 2 O 3 and Lu 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ microarchitectures have been successfully synthesized via a green and facile ionic liquid-based hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent calcination process. Novel 3D micro-rodbundles and 1D microrods of Lu 2 O 3 and Lu 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ were controllably obtained through this method. X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the micromaterials. The proposed formation mechanisms have been investigated on the basis of a series of SEM studies of the products obtained at different hydrothermal durations. The results indicated that hydrothermal temperature and the ionic liquid-tetrabutylammonium hydroxide were two key factors for the formation as well as the morphology control of the Lu 2 O 3 and Lu 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ microarchitectures.