Lanthanide nanocrystals: a platform for the study of optics and magnetism in nanomaterials.

Abstract

Development of Lanthanide based nanomaterials and investigation of their optical and magnetic properties are explored in this dissertation. Europium sulfide is one of the most prominent classes of magnetic lanthanide compounds. A novel one-step solvothermal synthesis technique was employed to produce stable, monodisperse europium sulfide nanocrystals. The role of particle size on the optical and magnetic properties of europium sulfide nanocrystals was studied. Lead based dilute magnetic semiconductors alloyed with europium are known for their optical, magneto-optical and magnetic properties. The first synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline alloyed lead europium sulfide was reported. This novel, alloyed nanocrystals allow for customized physical properties with variations in size and composition. Tuning the amount of europium in the alloyed nanocrystals can produce ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, and diamagnetic nanocrystals. The high-field magnetization measurements on lead europium sulfide nanocrystals indicated a weak antiferromagnetic coupling among europium ions.