Formation and growth of LaOCl:Eu3+ crystal in KCl-LiCl molten flux and its luminescent properties

Homogeneously Eu 3+ doped LaOCl single crystals are firstly synthesized in a molten KCl-LiCl flux, and the well-shaped LaOCl:Eu 3+ polyhedral micro-plates exhibit noticeable luminescent properties. The bulk LaOCl:Eu 3+ micro-plate with a width of 1.03 μm and 1.37 μm in length shows a single crystal characteristic with the crystal face orientation of [00 1 ‾ ]. Both XRD patterns and EDS mapping indicate that the Eu 3+ ions have been homogeneously doped into LaOCl lattice. LaOCl:Eu 3+ nucleuses generated in molten KCl-LiCl flux at even 350 °C benefited to the decomposition of La(OH) 3 :Eu 3+ precursor, and polyhedral LaOCl micro-plate is easily formed in molten KCl-LiCl salt due to the solid-ionic reaction and crystal growth. The luminescent properties of LaOCl:Eu 3+ are firstly enhanced and then weakened with the increasing concentration of the doped Eu 3+ , 6% Eu 3+ doped LaOCl:Eu 3+ exhibits the best luminescent properties which can be used as a potential LED material.