Solvothermal syntheses, and characterization of [Ln(en)4(SbSe4)] (Ln=Ce, Pr) and [Ln(en)4]SbSe4·0.5en (Ln=Eu, Gd, Er, Tm, Yb): The effect of lanthanide contraction on the crystal structures of lanthanide selenidoantimonates(V)

Two types of lanthanide selenidoantimonates [Ln(en)₄(SbSe₄)] (Ln=Ce(1a), Pr(1b)) and [Ln(en)₄]SbSe₄·0.5en (Ln=Eu(2a), Gd(2b), Er(2c), Tm(2d), Yb(2e); en=ethylenediamine) were solvothermally synthesized by reactions of LnCl₃, Sb and Se with the stoichiometric ratio in en solvent at 140 °C. The four-en coordinated lanthanide complex cation [Ln(en)₄]³⁺ formed in situ balances the charge of SbSe₄³⁻ anion. In compounds 1a and 1b, the SbSe₄³⁻ anion act as a monodentate ligand to coordinate complex [Ln(en)₄]³⁺ and the neutral compound [Ln(en)₄(SbSe₄)] is formed. The Ln³⁺ ion has a nine-coordinated environment involving eight N atoms and one Se atom forming a distorted monocapped square antiprism. In 2a-2e the lanthanide(III) ion exists as isolated complex [Ln(en)₄]³⁺, in which the Ln³⁺ ion is in a bicapped trigonal prism geometry. A systematic investigation of the crystal structures reveals that two types of structural features of these lanthanide selenidoantimonates are related with lanthanides contraction across the lanthanide series. TG curves show that compounds 1a-1b and 2a-2e remove their organic components in one and two steps, respectively.     

Homoleptic [M(XeF2)6] cations of copper(II) and zinc(II)—Syntheses and crystal structures of [M(XeF2)6](SbF6)2 (M = Cu, Zn)

[Cu(XeF₂)₆](SbF₆)₂ crystallizes in the rhombohedral symmetry with a = 1003.6(2) pm, c = 2246.5(12) pm at 200 K and Z = 3, space group (No. 148). [Zn(XeF₂)₆](SbF₆)₂ is isostructural to [Cu(XeF₂)₆](SbF₆)₂ with a = 1007(2) pm and c = 2243(6) pm. The structures are characterized by isolated homoleptic [M(XeF₂)₆]²⁺ (M = Cu, Zn) cations and of [SbF₆]⁻ octahedra.Reactions of M(SbF₆)₂ (M = Cu, Zn) with XeF₂ in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) and reactions of MF₂ with Xe₂F₃SbF₆ in aHF always yield a mixture of [M(XeF₂)₆](SbF₆)₂, Xe₂F₃SbF₆ and MF₂.     

Phase formation in the systems Li2MoO4-K2MoO4-Ln2(MoO4)3 (Ln=La, Nd, Dy, Er) and properties of triple molybdates LiKLn2(MoO4)4

Subsolidus phase relations in the systems Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-Ln₂(MoO₄)₃ (Ln=La, Nd, Dy, Er) were determined. Formation of LiKLn₂(MoO₄)₄ was confirmed in the systems with Ln=Nd, Dy, Er at the LiLn(MoO₄)₂-KLn(MoO₄)₂ joins. No intermediate phases of other compositions were found. No triple molybdates exist in the system Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-La₂(MoO₄)₃. The join LiLa(MoO₄)₂-KLa(MoO₄)₂ is characterized by formation of solid solutions.Triple molybdates LiKLn₂(MoO₄)₄ for Ln=Nd-Lu, Y were synthesized by solid state reactions (single phases with ytterbium and lutetium were not prepared). Crystal and thermal data for these molybdates were determined. Compounds LiKLn₂(MoO₄)₄ form isostructural series and crystallized in the monoclinic system with the unit cell parameters a=5.315-5.145 Å, b=12.857-12.437 Å, c=19.470-19.349 Å, β=92.26-92.98°. When heated, the compounds decompose in solid state to give corresponding double molybdates. The dome-shaped curve of the decomposition temperatures of LiMLn₂(MoO₄)₄ has the maximum in the Gd-Tb-Dy region.While studying the system Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-Dy₂(MoO₄)₃ we revealed a new low-temperature modification of KDy(MoO₄)₂ with the triclinic structure of α-KEu(MoO₄)₂¹ (a=11.177(2) Å, b=5.249(1) Å, c=6.859(1) Å, α=112.33(2)°, β=111.48(1)°, γ=91.30(2)°, space group , Z=2).     

Syntheses, crystal and electronic structure, and some optical and transport properties of LnCuOTe (Ln=La, Ce, Nd)

Three new compounds, LaCuOTe, CeCuOTe, and NdCuOTe, have been synthesized from the respective rare-earth elements, CuO, and a KI flux at 1023 K. The compounds, which have the ZrSiCuAs structure type, are isostructural to LaCuOS, and crystallize in space group P4/nmm of the tetragonal system with two formula units in cells of dimensions at 153 K of , , for LaCuOTe; , , for CeCuOTe; and , , for NdCuOTe. The structure of LnCuOTe (Ln=La, Ce, Nd) is composed of alternating PbO-like [Ln₂O₂] and anti-PbO-like [Cu₂Te₂] layers stacked perpendicular to [0 0 1]. The experimental optical band gaps of LaCuOTe and NdCuOTe are 2.31 and 2.26 eV, respectively. At 298 K the electrical conductivity of LaCuOTe is 1.65 S/cm and the Hall mobility is +80.6 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. The positive values of the Seebeck and Hall coefficients indicate p-type electrical conduction. First-principles theoretical calculations were performed on LaCuOQ (Q=S, Se, Te). In LaCuOTe, Cu 3d and Te 5p orbitals dominate the states near the valence band maximum; the states near the conduction band minimum are composed of Cu 4s, Te 5p, and La 5d orbitals. The larger dispersion of Cu 3d orbitals and the presence of Te 5p orbitals near the valence band maximum are responsible for the larger hole mobility of LaCuOTe compared to LaCuOS and LaCuOSe.     

Combinatorial topology of uranyl molybdate sheets: syntheses and crystal structures of (C6H14N2)3[(UO2)5(MoO4)8](H2O)4 and (C2H10N2)[(UO2)(MoO4)2]

Two new mixed organic-inorganic uranyl molybdates, (C₆H₁₄N₂)₃[(UO₂)₅(MoO₄)₈](H₂O)₄ (1) and (C₂H₁₀N₂)[(UO₂)(MoO₄)₂] (2), have been obtained by hydrothermal methods. The structure of 1 [triclinic, , Z=1, a=11.8557(9), b=11.8702(9), c=12.6746(9) Å, α=96.734(2)°, β=91.107(2)°, γ=110.193(2)°, V=1659.1(2) Å] has been solved by direct methods and refined on the basis of F² for all unique reflections to R1=0.058, which was calculated for the 5642 unique observed reflections (|F_o|?4σ_F). The structure contains topologically novel sheets of uranyl square bipyramids, uranyl pentagonal bipyramids, and MoO₄ tetrahedra, with composition [(UO₂)₅(MoO₄)₈]⁶⁻, that are parallel to (−101). H₂O groups and 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2]-octane (DABCO) molecules are located in the interlayer, where they provide linkage of the sheets. The structure of 2 [triclinic, , Z=2, a=8.4004(4), b=11.2600(5), c=13.1239(6) Å, α=86.112(1)°, β=86.434(1)°, γ=76.544(1)°, V=1203.14(10) Å] has been solved by direct methods and refined on the basis of F² for all unique reflections to R1=0.043, which was calculated for 5491 unique observed reflections (|F_o|?4σ_F). The structure contains topologically novel sheets of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and MoO₄ tetrahedra, with composition [(UO₂)(MoO₄)₂]²⁻, that are parallel to (110). Ethylenediamine molecules are located in the interlayer, where they provide linkage of the sheets. All known topologies of uranyl molybdate sheets of corner-sharing U and Mo polyhedra can be described by their nodal representations (representations as graphs in which U and Mo polyhedra are given as black and white vertices, respectively). Each topology can be derived from a simple black-and-white graph of six-connected black vertices and three-connected white vertices by deleting some of its segments and white vertices.     

Hexagonal perovskite-intergrowth manganates: Ln2Ca2MnO7 (Ln=La, Nd and Sm)

Two structures, all consisting of alternative stacking of hexagonal perovskite layer and graphite-like Ca₂O layer, were identified in Ln₂Ca₂MnO₇ systems (Ln=La, Nd and Sm). La₂Ca₂MnO₇ (1), crystallizing in the space group with the lattice constants a=5.62231(7)  Å and c=17.3192(4) Å, contains almost ideal close packed [LnO₃] arrays. While for the smaller rare earth cations, e.g., Nd₂Ca₂MnO₇ (2) and Sm₂Ca₂MnO₇ (3), the structure distorts to large unit cell (a′=2a and c′=c). Study of the substituted systems, LnLn′Ca₂MnO₇ (Ln or Ln′=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) and La_2−xSm_xCa₂MnO₇, shows a phase transformation from (1) to (2) at certain value of cation size. The MnO₆ octahedra in these compounds are isolated, thus the magnetic property is mainly paramagnetic.     

Crystal growth, transport, and magnetic properties of Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) with a perovskite-like structure

Ln₃Co₄Sn₁₃ (Ln=La, Ce) have been synthesized by flux growth and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds adopt the Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃-type structure and crystallize in the cubic space group (No. 223) with Z=2. Lattice parameters at 298 K are , , and , for the La and Ce analogues, respectively. The crystal structure consists of an Sn-centered icosahedron at the origin of the unit cell, which shares faces with eight Co trigonal prisms and 12 Ln-centered cuboctahedra. Magnetization data at 0.1 T show paramagnetic behavior down to 1.8 K for Ce₃Co₄Sn₁₃, with per Ce³⁺, while conventional type II superconductivity appears below 2.85 K in the La compound. Electrical resistivity and specific heat data for the La compound show a corresponding sharp superconducting transition at T_c∼2.85 K. The entropy and resistivity data for Ce₃Co₄Sn₁₃ show the existence of the Kondo effect with a complicated semiconducting-like behavior in the resistivity data. In addition, a large enhanced specific heat coefficient at low T with a low magnetic transition temperature suggests a heavy-fermionic character for the Ce compound. Herein, the structure and physical properties of Ln₃Co₄Sn₁₃ (Ln=La, Ce) are discussed.     

The lanthanoid(III) chloride cyclo-tetrasilicates M6Cl10[Si4O12] (M=Sm, Gd-Dy): Synthesis, structure and IR investigations

The chloride derivatized lanthanoid(III) cyclo-tetrasilicates of the composition M₆Cl₁₀[Si₄O₁₂] (M=Sm, Gd-Dy) crystallize monoclinically in space group C2/m (a=1062-1065, b=1036-1052, c=1163-1187 pm, β≈103°, Z=2). They are obtained by the reaction of the sesquioxides M₂O₃ (or the combination of Tb₄O₇ and Tb in 3:2-molar ratio for the terbium case), the corresponding trichlorides MCl₃, and SiO₂ (silica gel) in stoichiometric ratios with double the amount of MCl₃ as flux in evacuated silica tubes (7d at 850 °C) as transparent, pseudo-octagonal, pillar-shaped single crystals with the colour of the respective lanthanoid trication M³⁺. Their crystal structure can be considered as a layered arrangement in which cationic {[(M2)₅Cl₉]⁶⁺} layers are alternatingly piled with anionic ones of the kind {[(M1)Cl[Si₄O₁₂]]⁶⁻}. In the latter, the (M1)³⁺ cations show a slightly distorted hexagonal bipyramidal environment built up by two Cl⁻ and six O²⁻ anions (CN=8), whereas the (M2)³⁺ cations exhibit a coordination number of only seven (five Cl⁻ and two O²⁻ anions in the shape of a distorted pentagonal bipyramid). The cyclo-tetrasilicate units consist of four corner-linked [SiO₄]⁴⁻ tetrahedra in all-ecliptical conformation each, fused to eight-membered rings, which contain two almost linear (178°) and two bent (142°) Si-O-Si bridges. This particular cyclo-[Si₄O₁₂]⁸⁻ situation could be confirmed by theoretical and experimental infrared-spectroscopic investigations.     

Magnetic properties of quadruple perovskites Ba4LnRu3O12 (Ln=La, Nd, Sm-Gd, Dy-Lu)

Quadruple perovskites Ba₄LnRu₃O₁₂ (Ln=La, Nd, Sm-Gd, Dy-Lu) were prepared and their magnetic properties were investigated. They adopt the 12L-perovskite-type structure consisting of Ru₃O₁₂ trimers and LnO₆ octahedra. All of these compounds show an antiferromagnetic transition at 2.5-30 K. For Ba₄NdRu₃O₁₂, ferrimagnetic ordering has been observed at 11.5 K. The observed magnetic transition is due to the magnetic behavior of the Ru^4.33+₃O₁₂ trimer with S=. Magnetic properties of Ba₄LnRu₃O₁₂ were compared with those of triple perovskites Ba₃LnRu₂O₉ and double perovskites Ba₂LnRuO₆.     

A computational study of SbnF5n (n = 1-4): Implications for the fluoride ion affinity of nSbF5

This contributions shows with a series of ab initio MP2 and DFT (BP86 and B3-LYP) computations with large basis sets up to cc-pVQZ quality that the literature value of the standard enthalpy of depolymerization of Sb₄F_20(g) to give SbF_5(g) (+18.5 kJ mol⁻¹) [J. Fawcett, J.H. Holloway, R.D. Peacock, D.R. Russell, J. Fluorine Chem. 20 (1982) 9] is by about 50 kJ mol⁻¹ in error and that the correct value of (Sb₄F_20(g)) is +68 ± 10 kJ mol⁻¹. We assign , , and values for Sb_nF_5n with n = 2-4 and compare the results to available experimental gas phase data. Especially the MP2/TZVPP values obtained in an indirect procedure that rely on isodesmic reactions or the highly accurate compound methods G2 and CBS-Q are in excellent agreement with the experimental data, and reproduce also the fine experimental details at temperatures of 423 and 498 K. With these data and the additional calculation of [Sb_nF_5n+1]⁻ (n = 1-4), we then assessed the fluoride ion affinities (FIAs) of Sb_nF_5n(g), nSbF_5(g), nSbF_5(l) and the standard enthalpies of formation of Sb_nF_5n(g) and [Sb_nF_5n+1]⁻_(g): FIA(Sb_nF_5n(g)) = 514 (n = 1), 559 (n = 2), 572 (n = 3) and 580 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹; FIA(nSbF_5(g)) = 667 (n = 2), 767 (n = 3) and 855 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹; FIA(nSbF_5(l)) = 434 (n = 1), 506 (n = 2), 528 (n = 3) and 534 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹. Error bars are approximately ±10 kJ mol⁻¹. Also the related Gibbs energies were derived. Δ_fH°([Sb_nF_5n+1]⁻_(g)) = −2064 ± 18 (n = 1), −3516 ± 25 (n = 2), −4919 ± 31 (n = 3) and −6305 ± 36 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹.     

Seven new rare-earth transition-metal oxychalcogenides: Syntheses and characterization of Ln4MnOSe6 (Ln=La, Ce, Nd), Ln4FeOSe6 (Ln=La, Ce, Sm), and La4MnOS6

The quaternary oxychalcogenides Ln₄MnOSe₆ (Ln=La, Ce, Nd), Ln₄FeOSe₆ (Ln=La, Ce, Sm), and La₄MnOS₆ have been synthesized by the reactions of Ln (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, Sm), M (M=Mn, Fe), Se, and SeO₂ at 1173 K for the selenides or by the reaction of La₂S₃ and MnO at 1173 K for the sulfide. Warning: These reactions frequently end in explosions. These isostructural compounds crystallize with two formula units in space group of the hexagonal system. The cell constants (a, c in Å) at 153 K are: La₄MnOSe₆, 9.7596(3), 7.0722(4); La₄FeOSe₆, 9.7388(4), 7.0512(5); Ce₄MnOSe₆, 9.6795(4), 7.0235(5); Ce₄FeOSe₆, 9.6405(6), 6.9888(4); Nd₄MnOSe₆, 9.5553(5), 6.9516(5); Sm₄FeOSe₆, 9.4489(5), 6.8784(5); and La₄MnOS₆, 9.4766(6), 6.8246(6). The structure of these Ln₄MOQ₆ compounds comprises a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LnOQ₇ bicapped trigonal prisms, MQ₆ octahedra, and the unusual LnOQ₆ tricapped tetrahedra.     

B-site disordering in Ba3Ln2MoO9 (Ln=Ho, Er) perovskites: A neutron diffraction study

We describe the preparation, structure determination and magnetic properties of two Ba perovskites containing rare-earth cations at the B-sublattice. Ba₃Ln₂MoO₉ (Ln=Ho³⁺ and Er³⁺) were synthesized by ceramic procedures. Joint X-ray (XRPD) and neutron (NPD) powder diffraction refinements were carried out to analyse the crystal structure. At room temperature, both phases are tetragonal, space group I4/mcm, Z=4. Ln and Mo atoms are found to be distributed at random over the octahedral sites of the perovskites. Magnetic measurements at 0.1 T show that both samples are paramagnetic between 3 and 300 K, following a Curie-Weiss law. M vs. H curves show a region of paramagnetic behaviour and above 2.5 T a magnetic saturated system is observed. Finally, the temperature evolution of the NPD patterns of Ba₃Ho₂MoO₉ reveals the absence of long-range magnetic ordering down to 2 K.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of 12L-perovskites Ba4LnIr3O12 (Ln=lanthanides)

New quadruple perovskite oxides Ba₄LnIr₃O₁₂ (Ln=lanthanides) were prepared and their magnetic properties were investigated. They crystallize in the monoclinic 12L-perovskite-type structure with space group C2/m. The Ir₃O₁₂ trimers and LnO₆ octahedra are alternately linked by corner-sharing and form the perovskite-type structure with 12 layers. The Ln and Ir ions are both in the tetravalent state for Ln=Ce, Pr, and Tb compounds , and for other compounds (Ln=La, Nd, Sm-Gd, Dy-Lu), Ln ions are in the trivalent state and the mean oxidation state of Ir ions is . An antiferromagnetic transition has been observed for Ln=Ce, Pr, and Tb compounds at 10.5, 35, and 16 K, respectively, while the other compounds are paramagnetic down to 1.8 K.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of gallosilicate- and aluminogermanate tetrahydroborate sodalites Na8[GaSiO4]6(BH4)2 and Na8[AlGeO4]6(BH4)2

Tetrahydroborate enclathrated sodalites with gallosilicate and aluminogermanate host framework were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Crystal structures were refined in the space group P-43n from X-ray powder data using the Rietveld method. Na₈[GaSiO₄]₆(BH₄)₂: a=895.90(1) pm, V=0.71909(3)×10⁻⁶ nm³, R_P=0.074, R_B=0.022, Na₈[AlGeO₄]₆(BH₄)₂: a=905.89(2) pm, V=0.74340(6)×10⁻⁶ nm³, R_P=0.082, R_B=0.026. The tetrahedral framework T-atoms are completely ordered in each case and the boron atoms are located at the centre of the sodalite cages. The hydrogen atoms of the enclathrated anions were refined on x, x, x positions, restraining them to boron-hydrogen distances of 116.8 pm as found in NaBD₄.The IR-absorption spectra of the novel phases show the typical bands of the tetrahedral group as found in the spectrum of pure sodium boron hydride.The new sodalites are discussed as interesting -containing model compounds which could release pure hydrogen.     

The first quaternary lanthanide(III) nitride iodides: NaM4N2I7 (M=La-Nd)

In attempts to synthesize lanthanide(III) nitride iodides with the formula M₂NI₃ (M=La-Nd), moisture-sensitive single crystals of the first quaternary sodium lanthanide(III) nitride iodides NaM₄N₂I₇ (orthorhombic, Pna2₁; Z=4; a=1391-1401, b=1086-1094, c=1186-1211 pm) could be obtained. The dominating structural features are chains of trans-edge linked [NM₄]⁹⁺ tetrahedra, which run parallel to the polar 2₁-axis [001]. Between the chains, direct bonding via special iodide anions generates cages, in which isolated [NaI₆]^5- octahedra are embedded. The IR spectrum of NaLa₄N₂I₇ recorded from 100 to 1000 cm^-1 shows main bands at υ=337, 373 and 489 cm^-1. With decreasing radii of the lanthanide trications these bands, which can be assigned as an influence of the vibrations of the condensed [NM₄]⁹⁺ tetrahedra, are shifted toward higher frequencies for the NaM₄N₂I₇ series (M=La-Nd), following the lanthanide contraction.     

Magnetic properties and structural transitions of orthorhombic fluorite-related compounds Ln3MO7 (Ln=rare earths, M=transition metals)

Magnetic properties and structural transitions of ternary rare-earth transition-metal oxides Ln₃MO₇ (Ln=rare earths, M=transition metals) were investigated. In this study, we prepared a series of molybdates Ln₃MoO₇ (Ln=La-Gd). They crystallize in an orthorhombic superstructure of cubic fluorite with space group P2₁2₁2₁, in which Ln³⁺ ions occupy two different crystallographic sites (the 8-coordinated and 7-coordinated sites). All of these compounds show a phase transition from the space group P2₁2₁2₁ to Pnma in the temperature range between 370 and 710 K. Their magnetic properties were characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements from 1.8 to 400 K and specific heat measurements from 0.4 to 400 K. Gd₃MoO₇ shows an antiferromagnetic transition at 1.9 K. Measurements of the specific heat for Sm₃MoO₇ and the analysis of the magnetic specific heat indicate a “two-step” antiferromagnetic transition due to the ordering of Sm magnetic moments in different crystallographic sites, i.e., with decreasing temperature, the antiferromagnetic ordering of the 7-coordinated Sm ions occur at 2.5 K, and then the 8-coordinated Sm ions order at 0.8 K. The results of Ln₃MoO₇ were compared with the magnetic properties and structural transitions of Ln₃MO₇ (M=Nb, Ru, Sb, Ta, Re, Os, or Ir).     

Alignment of acentric MoO3F3 anions in a polar material: (Ag3MoO3F3)(Ag3MoO4)Cl

(Ag₃MoO₃F₃)(Ag₃MoO₄)Cl was synthesized by hydro(solvato)thermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (P3m1, No. 156, Z=1, a=7.4488(6)Å, c=5.9190(7) Å). The transparent colorless crystals are comprised of chains of distorted fac-MoO₃F₃³⁻ octahedra and MoO₄²⁻ tetrahedra anions, as suggested by the formulas Ag₃MoO₃F₃ and Ag₃MoO₄⁺, and are connected through Ag⁺ cations in a polar alignment along the c-axis. One Cl⁻ anion per formula unit serves as a charge balance and connects the two types of chains in a staggered fashion, offset by . In MoO₄²⁻, the Mo atom displaces towards a single oxide vertex, and in MoO₃F₃³⁻, the Mo displaces towards the three oxide ligands. The ordered oxide-fluoride ligands on the MoO₃F₃³⁻ anion is important to prevent local inversion centers, while the polar organization is directed by the Cl⁻ anion and interchain dipole-dipole interactions. The dipole moments of MoO₃F₃³⁻ and MoO₄²⁻ align in the negative c-axis direction, to give a polar structure with no cancellation of the individual moments. The direction and magnitude of the dipole moments for MoO₃F₃³⁻ and MoO₄²⁻ were calculated from bond valence analyses and are 6.1 and 1.9 debye (10⁻¹⁸ esu cm) respectively, compared to 4.4 debye for polar NbO₆ octahedra in LiNbO₃, and 4.5 debye for polar TiO₆ octahedra in KTiOPO₄ (KTP).     

Luminescence of NaGdFPO4:Ln after VUV excitation: A comparison with GdPO4:Ln (Ln=Ce, Tb)

The phosphors NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺ and GdPO₄:Ln³⁺ (for Ln³⁺=Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺) were prepared by solid-state reaction technique, the VUV-vis spectroscopic properties of the phosphors were investigated, and we vividly compare the luminescence of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the hosts. For phosphors GdPO₄:Ln³⁺, the band near 155 nm in VUV excitation spectrum is assumed to be the host-related absorption, and for NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺ the absorption is moved to longer wavelength, near 170 nm, showing the P-O bond covalency increased after fluoridation. The f-d transitions of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the host lattices are assigned and corroborated, and it was found that the 5d states are with lower energy in NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺ than those in GdPO₄:Ln³⁺. For fluoridation of GdPO₄:Ln³⁺ to NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺, the energy change of Ln³⁺ (Ln=Ce, Tb) 5d states is consistent with that of host-related absorption.