Efficient Photoluminescence of Isotropic Rare-Earth Oxychloride Nanocrystals from a Solvothermal Route

Eu3+-doped sub-10 nm LaOCl nanocrystals with 43 % photoluminescence quantum yield were prepared by solvothermal synthesis from hydrated rare-earth chlorides. As-obtained nanocrystals are nearly spherical, monodisperse and stable as colloidal dispersions. These combined features should intensify the interest for nanocrystalline rare-earth oxyhalides and their optical properties.