Highly improved green photoluminescence from CePO4:Tb/LaPO4 core/shell nanowires

The synthesis of CePO4:Tb/LaPO4 core/shell nanowires with a high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, and the use of this core/shell concept for 1D nanocrystal phosphor materials, are discussed. Highly improved green PL efficiency of these core/shell nanowires, are due to the fact that nonradiative recombination centers at the surface of CePO4:Tb single-crystal nanowires can absorb the energy of electrons. Meanwhile, the LaPO4 shells of trapping states and suppress the energy quenching in energy-transfer processes. The novel core/shell nanostructures, which are more robust than organically passivated nanowires, can be used as building blocks for optoelectronic nanodevice application. CePO4:Tb/LaPO4 core/shell nanowires with high quantum yield can lead to the development of a new class of biomedical labels for ultrasensitive, multicolor, and multiplexing applications owing to their nontoxicity and biocompatibility.