Oxalate-induced hydrothermal synthesis of CePO4:Tb nanowires with enhanced photoluminescence

Hexagonal CePO4 nanowires with a high aspect ratio were controllably synthesized through an oxalate-induced hydrothermal route. The hexagonal CePO4 and CePO4:Tb nanowires exhibited highly enhanced photoluminescence. The organic ligand oxalate was found to play a role for the oriented growth of the nanowires, as well as the structure evolution. The synthesis of nanostructured CePO4 with hexagonal and monoclinic structures was controlled by varying the molar ratios. A formation mechanism of the morphology and crystal structure was proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]