Structural, magnetic, and luminescent properties of NaGdF 4 :Nd 3+ @Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites.

The diverse applications of nanomaterials, and their rapidly increasing demand, have spurred the development of novel multifunctional materials. As such, this study aimed to synthesize and characterize a magneto-luminescent nanocomposite, composed of magnetite and fluorescent quantum dots (NaGdF 4 :Nd 3+ @Fe 3 O 4 ). Nanomaterial synthesis was accomplished through solvothermal and co-precipitation methods. Stable nanoparticles (NPs) with a zeta potential of -19.57 ± 0.42 mV, and a size of 4.55 ± 1.44 nm were obtained. The crystalline structure of the NPs, verified via x-ray diffraction, affirmed the hexagonal pattern of the NaGdF 4 :Nd 3+ NPs and the inverse spinel pattern of Fe 3 O 4 NPs. In the diffraction pattern of the NaGdF 4 :Nd 3+ @Fe 3 O 4 NPs, only the phase pertaining to the Fe 3 O 4 NPs was identified, indicating their influence on the nanocomposite. Magnetic measurements revealed the superparamagnetic behavior of the material. Photoluminescence spectra of NaGdF 4 :Nd 3+ and NaGdF 4 :Nd 3+ @Fe 3 O 4 NPs verified the luminescent emission around 1060 nm; a feature of the radiative transitions of Nd 3+ ions. Based on the assessed characteristics, the nanocomposite's multifunctionality was confirmed, positioning the material for potential use in various fields, such as biomedicine.