Long-Distance Lanthanide Migration Regulated by Interfacial Lattice Strain in Nanostructures

Emission spectra and luminescence decay curves of NaErF4@NaYF4 and NaErF4@NaYF4@NaNdF4 nanocrystals. Calculated formation energy of lanthanide vacancies (VLn) in NaYF4 and NaNdF4 systems under strained and unstrained conditions. Calculated energy difference (ΔE) between an initial state with a vacancy at the interface and a final state where a neighboring Y/Nd atom has migrated to fill it. Y@3Nd and Y@1Nd represent three-layer and one-layer of NaNdF4 are deposited on the (0001) facet of the NaYF4 substrate.