Green Synthesis of Gd(OH)3 and Eu:Gd(OH)3 Nanorods: Effect of Reaction Parameters on Morphology, Crystallinity and Thermal Conversion to Photoluminescent Oxide Nanorods

Through a green approach using water as a solvent, nanorods of Gd(OH) 3 in the diameter range of 15–50 nm and lengths varying from 40 nm to 290 nm were synthesized at low temperatures with high crystallinity. The as-prepared Gd(OH) 3 nanorods were characterized by various methods like XRD, TGA, TEM, etc. The effect of reaction time, base and surface directing agent on the crystallinity and morphology of Gd(OH) 3 powders were also investigated. Further, through a similar route Eu doped Gd(OH) 3 nanorods were also prepared (showing a similar morphology as undoped powders) that were annealed at modest temperatures to obtain Eu:Gd 2 O 3 powders and their photoluminescence properties were analyzed.