Synthesis of rare-earth based nanomaterials.

• Main Author: Ng, Wei Qiang.
• Other Authors: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Nanostructured materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45143
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Upconversion nanomaterials have became the focus of many studies due to their interesting optical properties and have found potential applications in novel display technologies, lasers and bio imaging solutions. However, low efficiencies due to structural defects of the crystals lattice severely limits the possibility of developing this technology into viable solutions. Herein, we will present 3 different conjugation methods to couple the effect of local field enhancement of noble metals such as gold as a mean to improve the efficiency of the upconversion nanomaterials. Au nanorods, Au-NH2 nanorods and Au core/shell nanocomposite materials were fabricated and the effect of the different coupling methods on the final structural integrity and morphology were investigated. The mechanism for this enhancement effect and the working principles of upconversion, surface plasmon resonance will also be discussed and presented in the earlier half of this report.