Synthesis and luminescence properties of CdPS3 intercalated with rare earth cations

Abstract

Nd3+, Sm3+ and Eu3+ have been intercalated by a cation exchange procedure into the layered lattice of CdPS3. X-ray diffraction measurements of the interlamellar expansion demonstrate that the cations initially occupy the interlamellar planes and are solvated by a water bilayer. Dehydration of the lattice occurs at 120[deg]C and is accompanied by a substantial decrease in the interlamellar spacing. Analysis of the host lattice photoluminescence and i.r. spectra indicate cadmium cation vacancies are created in the host lattice to balance the intercalated charge. The crystal field effects on the rare earth cation photoluminescence indicate that the cations have entered the intralamellar cation vacancies to form a complex defect center with C2 or lower symmetry. It is proposed that replacing dipositive Cd2+cations with RE3+ cations creates a characteristic complex involving two RE3+ cations and a lattice vacancy, V2-.