Synthesis and surface functionalization of rare earth nanoparticle and multiwalled carbon nanotube.

• Main Author: Lim, Swee Yin.
• 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/10356/45870
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

We report a novel method to prepare NaYF4: Yb, Er/ Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites. Hydrothermal treatment at 180⁰C was employed to coat the up-conversion NaYF4: Yb, Er around the MWCNT. When pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes are used, rod-like nanoparticles of NaYF4: Yb, Er are found to be coated on p-MWCNT. The particle size is varied from 25-50nm and display a distinct boundaries with MWCNT. However, when oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes are employed, thin layer of NaYF4: Yb, Er was coated evenly around the oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube. Up-conversion efficiency was enhanced when oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube was used in the nanocomposites formation. The morphology of the NaYF4: Yb, Er coating, coating thickness and the up-conversion efficiency is highly depends on the synthesis environment pH and the condition of the MWCNT.