Abstract
LaF3:Yb/Er (core), LaF3:Yb/Er@LaF3 (core/shell) and LaF3:Yb/Er@LaF3@SiO2 (core/shell/SiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using citric-acid-based complexation process. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, optical absorption, band-gap energy (E g), Fourier transform infrared and upconversion emission spectroscopy were employed to investigate the structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized core and core/shell/SiO2 nanoparticles. These core/shell/SiO2 nanoparticles can be well dispersed in aqueous solvents to form clear colloidal solution. The optical band-gap energy was decreased after shell formation due to increase in the crystalline size. The growth of an inactive and porous silica layers simultaneously on the surface of luminescent core-nanoparticles resulting an increase in average crystalline size of the nanoparticles. As-prepared inert shell-coated core/shell nanoparticles show intensive upconversion-luminescence as compared to the seed-core and silica-surface-modified core/shell/SiO2 nanoparticles because luminescent ions (Yb3+ and Er3+) ions located at the particle surface were protected from the non-radiative decay arising from surface dangling bonds and capping agent. However, our study revealed that there was only a slight reduction in upconversion efficiency for the silica-modified core/shell nanoparticles, indicating that upconversion properties of the upconversion nanoparticles are largely preserved in the core/shell/SiO2 nanoparticles. Absorption and upconversion-luminescence properties were examined for future application in the development of optical devices as well as optical bioprobes.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported through the project funded by National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH) King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Award Number (13-Bio1246-02).
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Ansari, A.A., Yadav, R. & Rai, S.B. Influence of surface coating on structural, morphological and optical properties of upconversion-luminescent LaF3:Yb/Er nanoparticles. Appl. Phys. A 122, 635 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-0160-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-0160-2