The present invention pertains to a process for preparing particles of rare earth sulfide comprising the steps of:—preparing a reaction mixture comprising at least one compound comprising at least one rare earth element (A) and at least one alkali metal sulfide (B),—submitting said reaction mixture to a mechanical stress so as to cause a chemical reaction that produces the particles of rare earth sulfide.

The present invention pertains to a process for preparing particles of rare earth sulfide comprising the steps of:—preparing a reaction mixture comprising at least one compound comprising at least one rare earth element (A) and at least one alkali metal sulfide (B),—submitting said reaction mixture to a mechanical stress so as to cause a chemical reaction that produces the particles of rare earth sulfide.

Monodisperse particles having: a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology are disclosed. Due to their uniform size and shape, the monodisperse particles self assemble into superlattices. The particles may be luminescent particles such as down-converting phosphor particles and up-converting phosphors. The monodisperse particles of the invention have a rare earth-containing lattice which in one embodiment may be an yttrium-containing lattice or in another may be a lanthanide-containing lattice. The monodisperse particles may have different optical properties based on their composition, their size, and/or their morphology (or shape). Also disclosed is a combination of at least two types of monodisperse particles, where each type is a plurality of monodisperse particles having a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology; and where the types of monodisperse particles differ from one another by composition, by size, or by morphology. In a preferred embodiment, the types of monodisperse particles have the same composition but different morphologies. Methods of making and methods of using the monodisperse particles are disclosed.

New methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using phosphors that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical lifetime signatures are described herein. The described assays and methods can be used for imaging or detection of multiple unique chemical or biological markers simultaneously in a single assay readout.

New methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using phosphors that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical lifetime signatures are described herein. The described assays and methods can be used for imaging or detection of multiple unique chemical or biological markers simultaneously in a single assay readout.

The present invention discloses a rare-earth sulfide colorant and a preparation method thereof. The chemical formula of the rare-earth sulfide colorant of the present invention is RE.sub.2-2xS.sub.3-3x.2y [REPO.sub.4], wherein RE is selected from one or more of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, and the ratio of y to x is 0.001 to 0.65. The present invention also discloses use of a phosphorus-containing compound for increasing the vividness of a rare-earth sulfide colorant.

The present invention discloses a rare-earth sulfide colorant and a preparation method thereof. The chemical formula of the rare-earth sulfide colorant of the present invention is RE.sub.2-2xS.sub.3-3x.2y [REPO.sub.4], wherein RE is selected from one or more of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, and the ratio of y to x is 0.001 to 0.65. The present invention also discloses use of a phosphorus-containing compound for increasing the vividness of a rare-earth sulfide colorant.

The present invention discloses a rare-earth sulfide colorant and a preparation method thereof. The chemical formula of the rare-earth sulfide colorant of the present invention is RE.sub.2-2xS.sub.3-3x.2y [REPO.sub.4], wherein RE is selected from one or more of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, and the ratio of y to x is 0.001 to 0.65. The present invention also discloses use of a phosphorus-containing compound for increasing the vividness of a rare-earth sulfide colorant.

The present invention discloses a rare-earth sulfide colorant and a preparation method thereof. The chemical formula of the rare-earth sulfide colorant of the present invention is RE.sub.2-2xS.sub.3-3x.2y [REPO.sub.4], wherein RE is selected from one or more of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, and the ratio of y to x is 0.001 to 0.65. The present invention also discloses use of a phosphorus-containing compound for increasing the vividness of a rare-earth sulfide colorant.

The present invention pertains to a process for preparing particles of rare earth sulfide comprising the steps of:preparing a reaction mixture comprising at least one compound comprising at least one rare earth element (A) and at least one alkali metal sulfide (B),submitting said reaction mixture to a mechanical stress so as to cause a chemical reaction that produces the particles of rare earth sulfide.