Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence performance of LaF3:Ce3+ nanocrystals

Fluorescent labeling agents have greatly affected many biological applications in recent years. Among different types of labeling agents, Cerium-doped LaF3 nanocrystals (NCs) are considered to be a promising new class of luminescent materials. Usually, lanthanide-doped nanocrystals production entails the use of ligands and high-temperature, which limits their biological applications and lowers their processability. This thesis proposes a simple and affordable synthesis of water-soluble LaF3: Ce doped nanocrystals without using ligands and at low temperatures. Dispersion of the nanoparticles was carried out in three different solvents including methanol, distilled-water and DI-chitosan. The effects of different levels of dopant on the particle size, morphology and their luminescent properties were investigated. Parametric performance of the synthesized materials was investigated in light of several parameters: different Ce concentrations, different solvents and different fluorophores concentrations as well. In general higher fluorophores concentration dispersed in DI- water solvent yielded better emission and better quantum efficiency