Monodisperse upconverting nanocrystals by microwave-assisted synthesis.
Upconverting nanocrystals have a tremendous potential for applications in fields such as bioanalysis, medical therapy, or display technologies. However, a prerequisite for many applications is the availability of small, monodisperse, and highly luminescent nanocrystals. Here we show, that a microwave-assisted synthesis approach allows for the synthesis of such monodisperse and luminescent upconverting nanocrystals within 5 min in a closed reaction vessel. Even though the same reactants and solvents as with classical conductive heating reactions were used, microwave-assisted synthesis resulted in differently sized and shaped particles and provided superior reaction control. The nucleation and growth mechanism follows a La Mer scheme and can be controlled extremely accurately. It is expected that the fundamental principles of this synthesis approach can be applied to many other types of nanocrystals as well.
Wang
Hai-Qiao
HQ
School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich, U.K.
Nann
Thomas
T
D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005459:Fluorides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry; D008872:Microwaves; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; C525362:sodium yttriumtetrafluoride; D015019:Yttrium; D008094:Lithium; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid; D005459:Fluorides