AbstractControlled reaction conditions in simple, template-free hydrothermal processes yield Tm-Lu2O3 and Tm-GdVO4 nanocrystals with well-defined specific morphologies and sizes. In both oxide families, nanocrystals prepared at pH 7 reaction media exhibit photoluminescence in ∼1.95 μm similar to bulk single crystals. For the lowest Tm3+ concentration (0.2 % mol) in GdVO4 measured 3H4 and 3F4 fluorescence lifetimes τ are very near to τrad.
