From Al4B2O9 Nanowires to Al18B4O33:Eu Nanowires

In this paper we report on the synthesis of single-crystal Al 4 B 2 O 9 nanowires by calcining the precursor powder made of disodium tetraborate decahydrate and aluminum nitride in air conditions. The as-received nanowires possess smooth surface with diameters varying between 20 and 50 nm. We can also obtain Al 18 B 4 O 33:Eu nanowires with diameters varying between 50 and 70 nm by recalcining a mixture powder of the above obtained Al 4 B 2 O 9 nanowires, K 2 SO 4, and Eu 2 O 3 in air. The structural and compositional characteristics of the as-synthesized products have been investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, and SAED techniques. Photoluminescence investigations reveal that Al 18 B 4 O 33:Eu nanowires display emission peaks at 590.0, 613.4, and 628.8 nm.