Partic. vol. 24 pp. 164-169 (February 2016)
doi: 10.1016/j.partic.2015.02.005

Potassium sodium tartrate-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of BaLuF₅:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanocrystals

Rongjin Sun, Peiyu Qiu, Ting Yin, Guo Gao^*, Hualin Fu, Kan Wang, Chunlei Zhang, Daxiang Cui^*

guogao@sjtu.edu.cndxcui@sjtu.edu.cn

Abstract

Highly-dispersed BaLuF₅:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanocrystals were prepared by a facile potassium sodium tartrate-assisted hydrothermal method. The average particle size was approximately 20–25 nm. The formation mechanism is discussed. Potassium sodium tartrate led to form a complex with an approximately three-dimensional network structure, which insured largely concurrent nucleation. As a result, we acquired uniform nanoparticles. The hydrothermal temperature, holding time, and pH value were important factors affecting the formation of the BaLuF₅:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanocrystals. We investigated their influence on the formation and realized the optimal reaction parameters. Remarkably, potassium sodium tartrate also contributed to the biocompatibility and potential biomedical applications of BaLuF₅:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanocrystals by decomposing into small organic groups attached to the nanoparticles.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Upconversion; BaLuF₅; PST; Hydrothermal synthesis