Synthesis, spectroscopic and luminescent properties of nanosized powders of yttrium phosphates doped with Er^sup 3+^ ions

Here, we report synthesis of pure crystalline nanopowders of yttrium orthophosphate Y^sub 0.95^Er^sub 0.05^PO^sub 4^ with xenotime-type structure and hydrate of yttrium orthophosphate Y^sub 0.95^Er^sub 0.05^PO^sub 4^0.8H2O with rhabdophane-type structure using microwave-hydrothermal treatment of freshly precipitated gels. To establish phase composition of the synthesized nanopowders, we have carried out XRD analysis. Also, we have investigated their morphology by means of TEM and SAXS. We have registered scattered reflection spectra for synthesized Y^sub 0.95^Er^sub 0.05^PO^sub 4^ and Y^sub 0.95^Er^sub 0.05^PO^sub 4^0.8H2O powders. Also, we have obtained luminescent spectra of these nanocrystalline samples for ^sup 4^I^sub 13/2^ [arrow right] ^sup 4^I^sub 15/2^ transition of Er^sup 3+^ ion with excitation of ^sup 4^I^sub 11/2^ level. We have proposed the mode of application of nanocrystalline powders Y^sub 0.95^Er^sub 0.05^PO^sub 4^ and Y^sub 0.95^Er^sub 0.05^PO^sub 4^0.8H2O for the development of composite materials based on polymer capsules that are being used in targeted drug delivery.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]