Controllable synthesis of EuCO3OH microspheres and their thermal conversion to Eu2O3

EuCO₃OH microspheres have been successfully prepared using a facile hydrothermal approach, by using urea as the precipitant without the assistance of any surfactants or templates. Several experimental parameters were examined, such as the reaction temperature, the reaction time, and the molar ratios of the starting reagents. The Eu₂O₃ microspheres have been prepared by thermal conversion of EuCO₃OH microspheres at 800 °C in air for 6 h. The as‐obtained products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis and photoluminescence. The possible growth process for the EuCO₃OH microspheres was discussed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)