Fluorescence enhanced ultrathin nano-plate Gd2O2SO4:Bi3+,Eu3+ transformed from layered gadolinium hydroxide

The flaky Bi3+ sensitized Gd2O2SO4: Eu3+ compounds were prepared from the sodium dodecyl sulfate intercalated layered rare-earth hydroxide by calcination at 800 °C. The precursor Gd(1.9-X)Eu0.1BiX(OH)5NO3·1.5H2O was fabricated by methanol-solvothermal reaction at 150 °C for 12h. XRD and TEM analyses demonstrated that the precursor LGdH were formed of crystallites with a uniform crystallographic orientation. After the anion DS− intercalated, the interlayer space of LGdH increased, but the layer structure did not change. Their single-crystal nature and sheet-like morphology were reserved after calcination, The excitation spectrum monitored by 612 nm featured a broad band at 332 nm which could be ascribed to the 6s2-6s6p transition of Bi3+, and, accordingly the flaky Gd2O2SO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ exhibited greatly enhanced characteristic red emission of Eu3+. The PL properties of the Gd2O2SO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ samples were measured at different concentrations of Bi3+ and fixed Eu3+ concentration 5 at%, and the highest PL quantum yield was 20.58% of Gd2O2SO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ at a Bi3+ concentration of 4 at%. •Successfully synthesized Bi3+ and Eu3+ co-doped layered gadolinium hydroxide by methanol-solvothermal reaction.•The flaky Gd2O2SO4:Eu3+,Bi3+ were fabricated by annealing of DS-intercalated layered LGdH:Eu3+,Bi3+.•Energy transfer from Bi3+ to Eu3+ was observed for the nano-plat Gd2O2SO4:Eu3+,Bi3+.•The highest PL quantum yield was 20.58% of Gd2O2SO4:Bi3+,Eu3+ at a Bi3+ concentration of 4 at%.