Synthesis and luminescence properties of Ca 3 (BO 3 ) 2 :Eu 3+ via two-step method.

Novel Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ nanotubes, constructed with nanobelts, were prepared using a hydrothermal method. The Ca3 (BO3 )2 :Eu3+ nanobelts with a thickness of about 100 nm were made for the first time using a two-step hydrothermal process with Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ as the precursor. The samples were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The relationship between Ca3 (BO3 )2 :Eu3+ and Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ was also studied. Possible reaction and growth mechanisms for Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ and Ca3 (BO3 )2 :Eu3+ were proposed. Ca3 (BO3 )2 :Eu3+ preserved the basic microstructure unit of Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ . Both Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ and Ca3 (BO3 )2 :Eu3+ exhibited red emissions centred at 614 nm, but the maximum excitation peaks for Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ and Ca3 (BO3 )2 :Eu3+ differed. Ca3 (BO3 )2 :Eu3+ exhibited higher photoluminescence intensity but a lower R/O value than Ca2 B2 O5 ·H2 O:Eu3+ .