Fabrication of polystyrene/upconversion nanocrystals nanocomposite spheres through in situ dispersion polymerization

This paper presents a feasible and efficacious procedure to synthesize polystyrene/upconversion nanocrystals (PS/UCNCs) nanocomposite spheres with raspberry-like structure via an in situ dispersion polymerization technique. During this process, polyacrylic acid (PAA) as stabilizer plays the key role in adsorbing UCNCs, including NaYF4:Yb3+–Er3+, NaYF4:Yb3+–Tm3+ and NaYF4:Yb3+–Ho3+ onto the PS surfaces. TEM and SEM images confirmed the raspberry-like morphology of the obtained nanocomposite spheres. The effect of synthetic conditions, for instances, PAA amount, type and concentration of UCNCs on the structure and fluorescence of the PS/UCNCs nanocomposite spheres were studied in detail.

This paper presents a feasible and efficacious procedure to synthesize polystyrene/upconversion nanocrystals nanocomposite spheres with raspberry-like structure via an in situ dispersion polymerization technique.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (64 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Stabilizer PAA was the supplier of carbonyl groups, which has strong interaction with the UCNCs.
► The obtained nanocomposite spheres are all raspberry-like with good dispersibility in water.
► Concentration of PAA and UCNCs determined the size and morphology of the nanocomposite spheres.