Rapid synthesis of sub-10 nm hexagonal NaYF4-based upconverting nanoparticles using Therminol 66

We report a simple one-pot method for rapid preparation of sub-10 nm pure hexagonal (β-phase) NaYF4 based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). Such nanocrystals are well-known for their high efficiency of energy upconversion. Using Therminol 66 as co-solvent, monodisperse UCNPs could be obtained in unusually short reaction time. By varying reaction time, reaction temperature, and the concentration of the dopants (Nd3+, Yb3+ sensitizer ions and Er3+ activator ions), it was possible to precisely control the particle size, crystalline phase, as well as the upconversion (UC) luminescence properties. The size and phase-purity of as-synthesized core and core-shell nanocrystals was assessed using complementary transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies. In-depth photophysical evaluation of the UCNPs was pursued using steady-state as well as time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. An enhancement in UC intensity was observed when nanocrystals, doped with optimized concentration of lanthanide sensitizer/activator ions, were further coated with an inert/active shell. This is attributed to the suppression of surface-related luminescence quenching effects.