Uniform Lanthanide Orthoborates LnBO3 (Ln = Gd, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy) Microplates: General Synthesis and Luminescence Properties

A variety of uniform lanthanide orthoborates LnBO 3 (Ln = Gd, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy) microplates have been successfully prepared by a general and facile conversion method. One-dimensional (1D) lanthanide hydroxides were first prepared through a simple hydrothermal process. Subsequently, uniform LnBO 3 microplates were synthesized at the expense of the 1D precursors during a hydrothermal conversion process. The whole process in this method was carried out in aqueous condition without the use of any organic solvents, surfactant, or catalyst. The as-obtained rare earth ions doped GdBO 3 and TbBO 3 microplates show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet excitation or low-voltage electron beam excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders and advanced flat panel display devices.