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Direct Synthesis of Hexagonal NaGdF 4 Nanocrystals from a Single‐Source Precursor: Upconverting NaGdF 4 :Yb 3+ ,Tm 3+ and Its Composites with TiO 2 for Near‐IR‐Driven Photocatalysis
Author(s) -
Chen Ying,
Mishra Shashank,
Ledoux Gilles,
Jeanneau Erwann,
Daniel Marlene,
Zhang Jinlong,
Daniele Stéphane
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201402347
Subject(s) - materials science , photoluminescence , nanocomposite , nanocrystal , photon upconversion , lanthanide , absorption (acoustics) , hexagonal phase , photocatalysis , diglyme , nanoparticle , visible spectrum , doping , absorption spectroscopy , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , ion , hexagonal crystal system , composite material , crystallography , chemistry , optics , catalysis , organic chemistry , physics , solvent , engineering
A novel single‐source precursor NaGd(TFA) 4 (diglyme) (TFA=trifluoroacetate) was synthesized, characterized thoroughly, and used to obtain the hexagonal phase of NaGdF 4 nanoparticles as an efficient matrix for lanthanide‐doped upconverting nanocrystals (NCs) that convert near‐infrared radiation into shorter‐wavelength UV/visible light. These NCs were then used to prepare well‐characterized TiO 2 @NaGdF 4 :Yb 3+ ,Tm 3+ nanocomposites to extend the absorption range of the TiO 2 photocatalyst from the UV to the IR region. While the visible/near IR part of the photoluminescent spectra remains almost unaffected by the presence of TiO 2 , the UV part is strongly quenched due to the absorption of TiO 2 above its gap at approximately 380 nm by energy transfer or FRET. Preliminary results on the photocatalytic activity of the above obtained nanocomposites are presented.