Synthesis of hollow rare-earth compound nanoparticles by a universal sacrificial template method

Abstract

A universal technique to synthesize hollow nanoparticles including spindle-like YVO₄, urchin-like YPO₄, and bowl-like NaYF₄ by a sacrificial process utilizing the Y(OH)CO₃ template is described. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements reveal that hollow nanoparticles with a controllable size are produced due to the Kirkendall phenomenon. Bright fluorescence can be obtained by doping the nanoparticles with lanthanide ions such as Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺, and Yb³⁺/Er³⁺. These hollow nanoparticles exhibiting bright fluorescence have potential in fluorescence-guided drug-delivery applications and this universal and effective technique can be employed to fabricate various types of hollow materials.