Hydrothermal Synthesis and Optical Properties of Magneto-Optical Na(3)FeF(6):Tb(3+) Octahedral Particles

Sodium iron hexafluoride (Na(3)FeF(6)), as a colorless iron fluoride, is expected to be an ideal host for rare earth ions to realize magneto-optical bi-functionality. Herein, monodispersed terbium ions (Tb(3+)) doped Na(3)FeF(6) particles are successfully synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) reveal that the Tb(3+) doped Na(3)FeF(6) micro-particles with regular octahedral shape can be assigned to a monoclinic crystal structure (space group P21/c). Under ultraviolet light excitation, the Na(3)FeF(6):Tb(3+) octahedral particles given orange-red light emission originated from the (5)D(4)→(7)F(J) transitions of the Tb(3+) ions. In addition, the magnetism measurement indicates that Na(3)FeF(6):Tb(3+) octahedral particles are paramagnetic with high magnetization at room temperature. Therefore, the Na(3)FeF(6):Tb(3+) powders may find potential applications in the biomedical field as magnetic-optical bi-functional materials.