Microwave Synthesis and Up-Conversion Properties of SHG-Active α-(La, Er)(IO) Nanocrystals.

Pure α-La(IO) and α-LaEr(IO) nanocrystals were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method leading to a reaction yield of 87 ± 4%. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering characterizations provide evidence for the formation of nanocrystals with an average size of 45 ± 10 nm for α-La(IO) and 55 ± 10 nm for α-LaEr(IO). When dispersed in ethylene glycol, the nanocrystal suspensions exhibit second-harmonic generation under near-infrared excitations at 800 and 980 nm whereas additional photoluminescence by up-conversion is simultaneously observed in the case of α-LaEr(IO) nanocrystals.