Ion exchanged LaF sub(3):Tb super(3+) based inorganic-organic hybrid nanostructures and their strong luminescence

Tb super(3+) doped LaF sub(3) (LaF sub(3):Tb super(3+)) is an important green light emitting material, but the low optical absorption cross-section of Tb super(3+) ions strongly limits its luminescence properties. In this work, we used an ion exchange method to prepare LaF sub(3):Tb super(3+) based inorganic-organic hybrid nanostructures, which exhibited strong luminescence as a result of luminescence sensitization, an energy transfer process from the organic ligands to the Tb super(3+) ions. The undoped LaF sub(3) nanoparticles were first synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, and Tb super(3+) ions were then ion exchanged into these LaF sub(3) nanoparticles to form the LaF sub(3):Tb super(3+) nanoparticles, which were then used to prepare the inorganic-organic hybrid nanostructures with benzoic acid. The LaF sub(3):Tb super(3+) based inorganic-organic hybrid nanostructures had an emission intensity more than 44 times stronger than the as-prepared LaF sub(3):Tb super(3+) nanoparticles. Dependence of their luminescence on the Tb super(3+) doping concentration and amount of organic ligands was studied in detail.