Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Fan Yang

Publication Date

7-8-2009

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Nanocrystals--Synthesis, Lanthanum compounds--Synthesis, Cerium, Radiolabeling--Materials, Fluorescence.

Degree Name

Mechanical Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Mechanical Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Leseman, Zayd

Second Committee Member

Luhrs, Claudia

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

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