Preparation and characterization of upconversion nanocomposite for β-NaYF_4:Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)-supported TiO_2 nanobelts

Hexagonal NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ (β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+) nanoparticles supported on TiO2 nanobelts were prepared using two-step pro- cedures of ion-exchangeable process and hydrothermal treatment: layered titanate nanobelts were first ion-exchanged with Y3+, Yb3+ and Er3+ cations to produce titanate nanobelts with these cations, and then, the product nanobelts in NaY solution were treated under hydrothermal con- dition to transform into anatase TiO2 nanobelts supported with β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanoparticles. The final p...