High-quality sodium rare-earth fluoride nanocrystals: controlled synthesis and optical properties

We report a general synthesis of high-quality cubic (alpha-phase) and hexagonal (beta-phase) NaREF4 (RE: Pr to Lu, Y) nanocrystals (nanopolyhedra, nanorods, nanoplates, and nanospheres) and NaYF(4):Yb,Er/Tm nanocrystals (nanopolyhedra and nanoplates) via the co-thermolysis of Na(CF3COO) and RE(CF3COO)3 in oleic acid/oleylamine/1-octadecene. By tuning the ratio of Na/RE, solvent composition, reaction temperature and time, we can manipulate phase, shape, and size of the nanocrystals. On the basis of its alpha --> beta phase transition behavior, along the rare-earth series, NaREF4 can be divided into three groups (I: Pr and Nd; II: Sm to Tb; III: Dy to Lu, Y). The whole controlled-synthesis mechanism can be explained from the point of view of free energy. Photoluminescent measurements indicate that the value of I610/I590 and the overall emission intensity of the NaEuF4 nanocrystals are highly correlative with the symmetries of the Eu3+ ions in both the lattice and the surface.     

Synthesis of hexagonal-phase core-shell NaYF4 nanocrystals with tunable upconversion fluorescence

Hexagonal-phase core-shell-structured NaYF 4:Yb,Tm@beta-NaYF 4:Yb,Er and beta-NaYF 4:Yb,Tm@beta-NaYF 4:Yb,Er@beta-NaYF 4:Yb,Tm nanocrystals were synthesized by a seeded growth approach. beta-NaYF 4:Yb,Tm nanocrystals with 20 nm diameter were used as seed crystals to induce the growth of beta-NaYF 4:Yb,Er and then beta-NaYF 4:Yb,Tm crystals, resulting in the formation of core-shell-structured nanocrystals with upconverting lanthanide ions Tm and Er doped in the core and shell, respectively.     

Novel heterometal-organic complexes as first single source precursors for up-converting NaY(Ln)F4 (Ln = Yb, Er, Tm) nanomaterials

First heterometal-organic single source precursors for NaYF(4) nanomaterials as a host matrix for up-conversion emission are reported. These novel heterobimetallic derivatives NaY(TFA)(4)(diglyme) (1), [Na(triglyme)(2)][Y(2)(TFA)(7)(THF)(2)] (2) and Na(2)Y(TFA)(5)(tetraglyme) (3) (TFA = trifluoroacetate), which were fully characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, TG-DTA data as well as single crystal X-ray structures, are advantageous in terms of being anhydrous and having lower decomposition temperatures in comparison to the homometallic precursor Y(TFA)(3)(H(2)O)(3). In addition, they also contain chelating glyme ligands, which act as capping reagents during decomposition to control the NaYF(4) particle size and render them monodisperse in organic solvents. On decomposition in 1-octadecene, the molecular derivatives 1 and 3 are converted, in the absence of any surfactant or capping reagent, to cubic NaYF(4) nanocrystals at significantly lower temperatures (below 250 °C). At higher temperature, a mixture of the cubic and hexagonal phases was obtained, the relative ratio of the two phases depending on the reaction temperature. A pure hexagonal phase, which is many folds more efficient for UC emission than the cubic phase, was obtained by calcining nanocrystals of mixed phase at 400 °C. In order to co-dope this host matrix with up-converting lanthanide cations, analogous complexes NaLn(TFA)(4)(diglyme) [Ln = Er (4), Tm (5), Yb (6)] and Na(2)Ln(TFA)(5)(tetraglyme) [Ln = Er (7), Yb (8)] were also prepared and characterized. The decomposition in 1-octadecene of suitable combinations and appropriate molar ratios of these yttrium, ytterbium and erbium/thulium derivatives gave cubic and/or hexagonal NaYF(4): Yb(3+), Er(3+)/Tm(3+) nanocrystals (NCs) capped by diglyme or tetraglyme ligands, which were characterized by IR, TG-DTA data, EDX analysis and TEM studies. Surface modification of these NCs by ligand exchange reactions with poly acrylic acid (PAA) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) diacid 600 was also carried out to render them water soluble. The THF solutions of suitable combinations of the diglyme derivatives were also used to elaborate the thin films of NaYF(4):Yb(3+), Er(3+)/Tm(3+) on a glass or Si wafer substrate by spin coating. The multicolour up-conversion fluorescence was successfully realized in the Yb(3+)/Er(3+) (green/red) and Yb(3+)/Tm(3+) (blue/violet) co-doped NaYF(4) nanoparticles and thin films, which demonstrates that they are promising UC nanophosphors of immense practical interest. The up-conversion excitation pathways for the Er(3+)/Yb(3+) and Tm(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped materials are discussed.     

Facile synthesis and up-conversion properties of monodisperse rare earth fluoride nanocrystals

Monodisperse rare earth (RE) fluoride colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) including REF(3) (RE = La, Pr, Nd), NaREF(4) (RE = Sm-Ho, Y) and Na(5)RE(9)F(32) (RE = Er, Yb, Lu) have been successfully synthesized by a facile one-step method using oleic acid as surfactant and 1-octadecene as solvent. The phase, morphology, size, and photoluminescence properties of as-synthesized NCs were well investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results reveal that the as-synthesized NCs consist of monodisperse colloidal NCs with narrow size distribution, which can easily disperse in non-polar cyclohexane solvent. The as-prepared NCs exhibit a rich variety of morphologies and different crystal phases (hexagonal or cubic), which may be related to the inherent natures of different rare earth ions. The possible formation mechanism of NCs with diverse architectures has been presented. In addition, representative Yb/Er, Yb/Tm, or Yb/Ho co-doped NaGdF(4) and Na(5)Lu(9)F(32) NCs exhibit intensive multicolor up-conversion (UC) luminescence under a single 980 nm NIR excitation, displaying potential applications in bioimaging and therapy. Moreover, transparent and UC fluorescent NCs-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites with regular dimensions were also prepared by an in situ polymerization route.     

Sub-10 nm hexagonal lanthanide-doped NaLuF4 upconversion nanocrystals for sensitive bioimaging in vivo

By thermal decomposition in the presence only of oleylamine, sub-10 nm hexagonal NaLuF(4)-based nanocrystals codoped with Gd(3+), Yb(3+), and Er(3+) (or Tm(3+)) have been successfully synthesized. Sub-10 nm β-NaLuF(4): 24 mol % Gd(3+), 20 mol % Yb(3+), 1 mol % Tm(3+) nanocrystals display bright upconversion luminescence (UCL) with a quantum yield of 0.47 ± 0.06% under continuous-wave excitation at 980 nm. Furthermore, through the use of β-NaLuF(4):Gd(3+),Yb(3+),Tm(3+) nanocrystals as a luminescent label, the detection limit of <50 nanocrystal-labeled cells was achieved for whole-body photoluminescent imaging of a small animal (mouse), and high-contrast UCL imaging of a whole-body black mouse with a penetration depth of ~2 cm was achieved.     

Highly uniform and monodisperse beta-NaYF(4):Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprism crystals: hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties

beta-NaYF4:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprisms with remarkably uniform morphology and size have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. It is found that sodium citrate as a shape modifier introduced into the reaction system plays a critical role in the shape evolution of the final products. Furthermore, the shape and size of the products can be further manipulated by adjusting the molar ratio of citrate/RE3+ (RE represents the total amount of Y3+ and the doped rare earth elements such as Eu3+, Tb3+, Yb3+/Er3+, or Yb3+/Tm3+). Under the excitation of 397 nm ultraviolet light, NaYF4:xEu3+ (x = 1.5, 5%) shows the emission lines of Eu3+ corresponding to 5D0-3 --> 7FJ (J = 0-4) transitions from 400 to 700 nm (whole visible spectral region) with different intensity, resulting in yellow and red down-conversion (DC) light emissions, respectively. When doped with 5% Tb3+ ions, the strong DC fluorescence corresponding to 5D4 --> 7FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions with 5D4 --> 7F5 (green emission at 544 nm) being the most prominent group that has been observed. In addition, under 980 nm laser excitation, the Yb3+/Er3+- and Yb3+/Tm3+-codoped beta-NaYF4 samples exhibit bright green and whitish blue up-conversion (UC) luminescence, respectively. The luminescence mechanisms for the doped lanthanide ions were thoroughly analyzed.     

Phase- and size-controllable synthesis of hexagonal upconversion rare-earth fluoride nanocrystals through an oleic acid/ionic liquid two-phase system

Herein, we introduce a facile, user- and environmentally friendly (n-octanol-induced) oleic acid (OA)/ionic liquid (IL) two-phase system for the phase- and size-controllable synthesis of water-soluble hexagonal rare earth (RE = La, Gd, and Y) fluoride nanocrystals with uniform morphologies (mainly spheres and elongated particles) and small sizes (<50?nm). The unique role of the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF(6)) and n-octanol in modulating the phase structure and particle size are discussed in detail. More importantly, the mechanism of the (n-octanol-induced) OA/IL two-phase system, the formation of the RE fluoride nanocrystals, and the distinctive size- and morphology-controlling capacity of the system are presented. BmimPF(6) is versatile in term of crystal-phase manipulation, size and shape maintenance, and providing water solubility in a one-step reaction. The luminescent properties of Er(3+)-, Ho(3+)-, and Tm(3+)-doped LaF(3), NaGdF(4), and NaYF(4) nanocrystals were also studied. It is worth noting that the as-prepared products can be directly dispersed in water due to the hydrophilic property of Bmim(+) (cationic part of the IL) as a capping agent. This advantageous feature has made the IL-capped products favorable in facile surface modifications, such as the classic Stober method. Finally, the cytotoxicity evaluation of NaYF(4):Yb,Er nanocrystals before and after silica coating was conducted for further biological applications.     

有生物活性的稀土-腺苷三磷酸系列物的合成及其量子化学理论计算的研究

本文首次报道合成了稀土-腺苷三磷酸固态配合物RE(III)-ATP)RE=Y、La、Ce、Pr、Nd、Sm、Eu、Gd、Tb、Dy、Ho、Er、Tm、Yb、Lu)。运用红外、激光raman、热分析、紫外、顺磁、X射线衍射、元素分析、配位滴定等技术测定了上述配合物的化学组成和分子结构, 其分子式用通式表为[RE(III)(HATP)(H2O)4]。采用量子化学INDO方法计算了系列物的电子结构, 依据计算结果讨论了生物化学中高能磷酸键的本质。     

Controllable synthesis and up-conversion properties of tetragonal BaYF5:Yb/Ln (Ln=Er, Tm, and Ho) nanocrystals

The nanocrystals (NCs) of tetragonal barium yttrium fluoride (BaYF(5)) doped 1 mol% Ln(3+) (Ln=Er, Tm, Ho) and 20 mol% Yb(3+) with different morphologies and sizes have been successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. The influences of pH values of the initial solution and fluorine sources on the final structure and morphology of the products have been well investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to characterize the size, structure and morphology of these samples prepared at different conditions. And it is found that BaYF(5):Yb/Ln NCs prepared at pH value of 10 using NaBF(4) as F(-) source have a uniform spherical morphology with average diameter of 25 nm. Additionally, the up-conversion (UC) properties of Yb/Er, Yb/Tm, and Yb/Ho doped BaYF(5) nanoparticles were also discussed. Under 980 nm laser excitation, the BaYF(5):Yb/Er, BaYF(5):Yb/Tm, and BaYF(5):Yb/Ho NCs exhibit green, whitish blue, and yellow green UC luminescence, respectively. The luminescence mechanisms for the doped lanthanide ions were thoroughly analyzed.     

Preparation of yttrium oxysulfide phosphor nanoparticles with infrared-to-green and -blue upconversion emission using an emulsion liquid membrane system

Yttrium oxysulfide upconverting phosphor nanoparticles, doped with Yb as a sensitizer and Er (or Ho, Tm) as an activator, have been prepared via a solid-gas reaction using precursor oxalate particles obtained in an emulsion liquid membrane (ELM, water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion) system. The resulting Y(2)O(2)S:Yb,Er particles, mainly smaller than 50 nm in diameter, demonstrated green upconversion emission under infrared excitation (lambdaex = 980 nm) via a two-photon process. Distinct green and blue upconversion emission were also demonstrated under the same infrared excitation from Y(2)O(2)S:Yb,Ho and Y(2)O(2)S:Yb,Tm nanoparticles, respectively. These upconverting phosphor nanoparticles, together with Y(2)O(3):Yb,Er infrared-to-red upconverting phosphor particles, with different emission under the same infrared excitation may be applied to the luminescent reporter materials for the detection of the targeted analyte in multiplexed assays.     

Behavior of new complexes of tetrakis(4-methoxylphenyl)porphyrin with heavy rare earth elements in reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography

An HPLC method has been developed for the separation of new complexes of tetrakis(4-methoxylphenyl)porphyrin (TMOPP) with four heavy rare earth elements (RE = Y, Er, Tm, and Yb). The function of amine and acid in the mobile phase has been investigated and a reasonable explanation is presented. Successful separation of the RE-TMOPP-Cl complexes is accomplished in 10 min with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water-acetic acid-triethanolamine. The detection limits (S/N= 3) for the four complexes are 0.01 microg/mL. This method is rapid, sensitive, and simple.     

邻氯苯甲酸稀土配合物的合成、表征及结构

本文合成了邻氯苯甲酸与十五种稀土的配合物REL~3·H~2O(RE=Y,La～Lu,L=Clc~6H~4CO~2H),研究了它们的热分解及红外光谱.测定了钕、铽及镥三种稀土的配合物晶体结构,均属单斜晶系,空间群P2~1/n,稀土离子配位数为9,配合物呈无限链状聚合结构.     

稀土配合物研究(Ⅻ)——1,6-双(1′-苯基-3′-甲基-5′-氧代吡唑-4′-基)己二酮-[1,6](BPMPHD)与稀土元素配合物的合成及表征

我们曾研究过BPMPHD对稀土元素的萃取规律,三元配合物,以及在有机溶剂中形成的某些二元配合物的性质。发现,由于BPMPHD是1种具有4个配位原子的螯型配合剂,它与稀土元素可以形成不同组成的配合物,对研究稀土新型配合物,探索金属间能量传递、光化学活性、催化性能均有重要意义,这类工作将会引起更多化学工作者的兴趣。     

Controllable synthesis of β-NaYF4:Yb,Er nanorods by potassium oleate as ligand

By using potassium oleate (KOL) as a part of ligand, nanorods of β-NaYF₄:Yb,Er were synthesized. The aspect ratio of β-NaYF₄:Yb,Er nanocrystals was tuned by changing the amount of KOL. We found that potassium from KOL is not only absorbed on the surface of nanocrystals, but also partially substitutes Na element in nanocrystals lattice. Different from the classical shape control mechanism that oleate ions are absorbed on different facets of nanocrystals, the anisotropic growth of β-NaYF₄:Yb,Er in current work is caused by the doping of K⁺. The incorporation of K⁺ would not lead to obvious decrease of the upconversion fluorescence intensity. Meanwhile, oleate ions promote the phase transition of nanocrystals from cubic to hexagonal phase, resulting in the simultaneous controllability of the nanocrystals size.     

稀土配合物的研究(Ⅸ)——稀土元素与1,5-双(1′-苯基-3′-甲基-5′-氧代吡唑-4′-基)戊二酮-(1,5)配合物的合成及性质

乙醇-水混合体系中合成了15种新的稀土元素的固态配合物,通过元素分析和化学分析确定了配合物的化学组成为RE_2(BPMPPD)_3·nH_2O和Ce(BPMPPD)_2·6H_2O(BPMPPD为1,5-双(1′-苯基-3′-甲基-5′-氧代吡唑-4′-基)戊二酮-[1,5]),对配合物的荧光光谱等性质进行了研究。     

稀土异硫氰酸盐与二甲基亚砜配合物的合成,性质及热分析研究

合成了15种稀土异硫氰酸盐与二甲基亚砜(DMSO)的配合物,经化学分析和元素分析确定其组成为RE(NCS)_s·mDMSO(RE=La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Eu,Gd;m=5.RE=Tb,Dy,Ho,Er,Tm,Yb,Lu,Y;m=4).用红外光谱及X射线衍射技术进行了表征.运用TG-DTA-DTG联用技术研究了该系列配合物的热分解过程,求算热重动力学参数发现,第一步热分解阶段的活化能随着中心高子——镧系元素原子序数的依次递增呈现“双峰现象”.     

Eu0.5RE0.5Fe0.5Mn0.5O3的57Fe Msosbauer谱研究

利用固相反应合成了Eu0.5RE0.5Fe0.5Mn0.5O3(RE=La,Pr,Nd,Sm,Eu,Gd,Tb,Dy,Ho,Er,Tm,Yb,Y)等化合物。测量了其XRD谱及57FeMssbauer谱。实验发现,随着RE原子序数的增加,样品的晶胞体积减小,Fe在化合物中处于Fe3+的高自旋状态,57Fe的四极裂矩与样品的畸变参数D成线性关系。     

具有生物活性的金属配合物的研究 IV: 3,6-二(二甲氨基)-二苯并碘六环稀土二(氨三乙酸)配合物的合成、性质及抗肿瘤活性

合成了十五种3,6-(二甲氨基)-二苯并碘六环稀土二(氨三乙酸)配合物,[C17H20N2I]3{RE[N(CH2CO2)3]2}.nH2O(RE=La, Eu, Er. n=3; RE=Ce-Nd, b-Ho, Tm,Yb. Y. n=4; RE=Sm, Gd, Lu. n=5). 利用X射线粉末衍射, 热重-差热分析、红外光谱、紫外光谱、^1H-NMR及摩尔电导等对这些配合物进行了表征. 实验表明, 镧配合物对体外L1210癌细胞生长有较好的抑制效果, 对小鼠S180肿瘤生长的抑制效果高于其前体.     

Blue,green,red upconversion luminescence and optical characteristics of rare earth doped rare earth oxide and oxysulfide

The cold isostatic press pretreatment process was adopted to prepare fine rare earth oxysulfide up-conversion phosphors with spherical shape, narrow size distribution and high luminescence efficiency. The upconversion optical characteristics and brightness of the blue (Y2O2SYb,Tm), green (Y2O2S: Yb,Er), red (Y2O3Yb,Er) emitter were also investigated, and a novel method was successfully developed for the brightness measurement of upconversion luminescence (UPL). It is shown that a white color can be obtained by the appropriate mixture of these primary blue, green and red emissions components. The Er3 ions exhibit different upconversion mechanism in Y2O2S and Y2O3 host materials. The rare earth oxysulfide is an efficient upconversion matrix. The UPL brightness of Y2O2S: Yb,Er is 6.5 times higher than that of Y2O3: Yb,Er, and Y2O2S: Yb,Er shows UPL brightness of 1100 cd/m2 under 5.56 W/cm2 power density using a 980 nm laser diode.     

Controllable synthesis and tunable luminescence properties of Y2(WO4)3:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Yb/Er, Yb/Tm and Yb/Ho) 3D hierarchical architectures

Yttrium tungstate precursors with novel 3D hierarchical architectures assembled from nanosheet building blocks were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method with the assistance of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS). After calcination, the precursors were easily converted to Y(2)(WO(4))(3) without an obvious change in morphology. The as-prepared precursors and Y(2)(WO(4))(3) were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, respectively. The results reveal that the morphology and dimensions of the as-prepared precursors can be effectively tuned by altering the amounts of organic SDBS and the reaction time, and the possible formation mechanism was also proposed. Upon ultraviolet (UV) excitation, the emission of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):x mol% Eu(3+) microcrystals can be tuned from white to red, and the doping concentration of Eu(3+) has been optimized. Furthermore, the up-conversion (UC) luminescence properties as well as the emission mechanisms of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):Yb(3+)/Ln(3+) (Ln = Er, Tm, Ho) microcrystals were systematically investigated, which show green (Er(3+), (4)S(3/2), (2)H(11/2)→(4)I(15/2)), blue (Tm(3+), (1)G(4)→(3)H(6)) and yellow (Ho(3+), (5)S(2)→(5)I(8)) luminescence under 980 nm NIR excitation. Moreover, the doping concentration of the Yb(3+) has been optimized under a fixed concentration of Er(3+) for the UC emission of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):Yb(3+)/Er(3+).