Synthesis and self-assembly of luminescent Ln3+-doped LaVO4 uniform nanocrystals

Synthesis and self-assembly of luminescent Ln3+-doped LaVO4 uniform nanocrystals (NC) assisted with oleic acid (OA) molecules are presented. These NCs display well-developed crystal facets and high shape homogeneity. The synthesis process, based on a phase-transfer and separation mechanism, allows the control of properties such as particle size and shape in low dispersity by bonding the surfactant to the crystal surface. These NCs are soluble and could self-assemble to form higher order colloidal architectures in organic solvents through the coordination of long alkyl chains attached to the crystal surface of the NCs. These nanocrystals could self-assemble to an ordered array by the interaction of oleic acid molecules on the crystal surface, and they exhibit luminescence typical of doped ions.