GdPO4:Eu nanoparticle formation during in situ hydrothermal synthesis in wood

This study investigates the formation and characterization of europium- doped gadolinium phosphate (GdPO4:Eu) nanoparticles produced during the in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of ceramic–wood composites. The research focuses on understanding the conditions under which these particles form within a solution enriched with wood components, examining their structural characteristics. In detail, the interaction between wood degradation products, including lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose derivatives, and the aqueous precursor solution containing NH4H2PO4, Gd(NO3)3 and Eu(NO3)3, is analyzed to elucidate the role of organic compounds in particle nucleation and growth. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to assess the crystalline structure, chemical composition, and morphology of the synthesized particles. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the solution composition, highlighting the influence of paramagnetic gadolinium ions on organic transformations and spectral broadening.