Direct Synthesis of Hexagonal NaGdF4 Nanocrystals from a Single‐Source Precursor: Upconverting NaGdF4:Yb3+, Tm3+ and Its Composites with TiO2 for Near‐IR‐Driven Photocatalysis. Issue 9 (6th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Ying; Mishra, Shashank; Ledoux, Gilles; Jeanneau, Erwann; Daniel, Marlene; Zhang, Jinlong; Daniele, Stéphane
• Is Part Of: Chemistry, an Asian journal. Volume 9:Issue 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 2415
• Page End: 2421
• Publication Date: 2014-06-06
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201402347
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1861-4728

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>A novel single‐source precursor NaGd(TFA)₄(diglyme) (TFA=trifluoroacetate) was synthesized, characterized thoroughly, and used to obtain the hexagonal phase of NaGdF₄ 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 TiO₂@NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ nanocomposites to extend the absorption range of the TiO₂ 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 TiO₂, the UV part is strongly quenched due to the absorption of TiO₂ 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.</p> </abstract>