Ball-milling-induced phase transformation of CePO4:Tb3+ nanocrystals and their optical properties.

Polymorphic transition, as an interesting phenomenon in many fields of materials chemistry, can take place upon heating, pressure, or ion doping. Herein, we achieved hexagonal to monoclinic phase transition of Tb3+ doped CePO₄ (CePO₄:Tb³⁺) nanocrystal through a simple and convenient ball milling method, but with reduced photoluminescence. The decrease in luminescence may be due to the partial oxidation of Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺ during the ball milling process, as well as the decrease in crystal symmetry in monoclinic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]