Ricinoleic Acid-Capped Upconverting Nanocrystals: An Ideal Capping Ligand to Render Nanocrystals Water Dispersible

Abstract

Cap in hand: Ricinoleic acid (RA) replaces oleic acid as capping ligand in the synthesis of upconverting nanocrystals in the size range of 10 nm. The presence of hydroxyl groups near the double bond in RA is advantageous in hydroxylation of the bond, and the size of the nanocrystals is preserved. The small size, high water dispersibility, and strong upconversion from the nanocrystals could be utilized in sensing and bioimaging applications.

Keywords: fluorides; hydroxylation; lanthanides; nanocrystals; upconversion.