Synthesis of Hexagonal‐Phase NaYF4:Yb,Er and NaYF4:Yb,Tm Nanocrystals with Efficient Up‐Conversion Fluorescence

IR‐to‐visible up‐conversion fluorescent nanocrystals of hexagonal‐phase NaYF₄:20 %Yb,2 %Er and NaYF₄:20 %Yb,2 %Tm have been synthesized by decomposition of multiprecursors of CF₃COONa, (CF₃COO)₃Y, (CF₃COO)₃Yb, and (CF₃COO)₃Er/(CF₃COO)₃Tm in oleylamine at 330 °C. The average particle size is 10.5 ± 0.7 nm (from random measurements of 200 particles from five transmission electron microscopy images) and 11.1 ± 1.3 nm (from dynamic‐light‐scattering measurements). The up‐conversion fluorescence intensity of the hexagonal nanocrystals in this work is much higher than that of other cubic‐phase NaYF₄:Yb,Er nanocrystals, including the ones in this work (by a factor of 7.5). Mechanisms for nucleation and growth of the hexagonal‐phase nanoparticles are proposed. These nanocrystals are easily dispersed in organic solvents, producing a transparent colloidal solution. The hydrophobic surfaces of the particles are made hydrophilic using a bipolar surfactant. These nanoparticles and their dispersions in various media have potential applications in optical nanodevices and bioprobes.