YF3:Tb,LaF3:Ce/Tb,and GdF3:Tb nanoparticles: A comparison of the crystallographic and photoluminescent properties

YF₃:Tb, LaF₃:Ce/Tb, and GdF₃:Tb nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the thermal co-precipitation technique at a lower temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), FT-Raman, UV/visible, and photoluminescence techniques were utilized to determine the phase purity, crystal phase, thermal stability, exterior behavior, optical properties, colloidal stability, and luminescent properties. The XRD results showed the different crystal phases in each nanoproduct. The TGA studies exhibited slight degradation at a lower temperature, which suggests surface water adsorption and organic moieties. The FTIR spectra revealed the existence of the IR bands related to hydroxyl and (C O) groups, suggesting the presence of organic moieties. The absorption spectra and optical bandgap energies were measured in aqueous media for the determination of the colloidal dispersibility in an aqueous solution. The excitation and emission spectra were analyzed, and all observed excitation and emission transitions were labeled. The emission spectra of the LnF₃:Tb NPs exhibited distinctive features of the most dominant emission transition located at 543 (⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅) under the excitation at 368 nm. Among the presented LnF₃ host matrices, YF₃:Tb NPs demonstrated high crystallinity along with superior photoluminescence properties. These findings are highly useful in the conjugation of biomolecules for sensitive detection of biomolecules and optical bioimaging.