Nanometer-thin layered hydroxide platelets of (Y0.95Eu0.05)2(OH)5NO3·xH2O: exfoliation-free synthesis, self-assembly, and the derivation of dense oriented oxide films of high transparency and greatly enhanced luminescence

Abstract

Ultra-thin (Y0.95Eu0.05)2(OH)5NO3·xH2O (Y/Eu LRH) nanoplates (down to ∼4 nm thick) have been successfully synthesized in one step, without exfoliation, through hydrothermal treatment of mixed nitrate solution in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH). Highly [111] oriented, dense (Y0.95Eu0.05)2O3 phosphor films (∼60 nm thick) with excellent optical transparency (∼86%) and a greatly enhanced luminescence intensity (∼4 times that of the powder form) have been constructed via self-assembly of ultra-thin Y/Eu LRHs nanoplates, followed by proper annealing.