Nanocomposite epoxy coatings containing rare earth ion-doped LaF3 nanoparticles: Film preparation and characterization

New epoxy-based nanostructured materials containing lanthanide ions doped LaF3 nanoparticles were obtained by cationic UV-induced ring-opening polymerization. The lanthanide Er3+ and Yb3+ ions were added as dopant to LaF3 nanoparticles. The synthesized NPs were solubilized into cyclohexene oxide and afterwards dispersed. in the range between 3 and 20 wt.%, into CE as dicycloaliphatic epoxy resin. The cured films were completely transparent and TEM analysis showed the absence of macroscopic agglomeration. The fast UV curing process was shown to be efficient on freezing the good nanometric dispersion achieved in the liquid formulations. These new materials Could find Suitable applications in optical communication and in LASER waveguide direct writing. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.