1
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Arteaga Cardona F, Madirov E, Popescu R, Wang D, Busko D, Ectors D, Kübel C, Eggeler YM, Arús BA, Chmyrov A, Bruns OT, Richards BS, Hudry D. Dramatic Impact of Materials Combinations on the Chemical Organization of Core-Shell Nanocrystals: Boosting the Tm 3+ Emission above 1600 nm. ACS NANO 2024. [PMID: 39264287 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c07932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
This article represents the first foray into investigating the consequences of various material combinations on the short-wave infrared (SWIR, 1000-2000 nm) performance of Tm-based core-shell nanocrystals (NCs) above 1600 nm. In total, six different material combinations involving two different types of SWIR-emitting core NCs (α-NaTmF4 and LiTmF4) combined with three different protecting shell materials (α-NaYF4, CaF2, and LiYF4) have been synthesized. All corresponding homo- and heterostructured NCs have been meticulously characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques. The latter revealed that out of the six investigated combinations, only one led to the formation of a true core-shell structure with well-segregated core and shell domains. The direct correlation between the downshifting performance and the spatial localization of Tm3+ ions within the final homo- and heterostructured NCs is established. Interestingly, to achieve the best SWIR performance, the formation of an abrupt interface is not a prerequisite, while the existence of a pure (even thin) protective shell is vital. Remarkably, although all homo- and heterostructured NCs have been synthesized under the exact same experimental conditions, Tm3+ SWIR emission is either fully quenched or highly efficient depending on the type of material combination. The most efficient combination (LiTmF4/LiYF4) achieved a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 39% for SWIR emission above 1600 nm (excitation power density in the range 0.5-3 W/cm2) despite significant intermixing. From now on, highly efficient SWIR-emitting probes with an emission above 1600 nm are within reach to unlock the full potential of in vivo SWIR imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Arteaga Cardona
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Eduard Madirov
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Radian Popescu
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Di Wang
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology and Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Dmitry Busko
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | | | - Christian Kübel
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology and Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Yolita M Eggeler
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Bernardo A Arús
- Department of Functional Imaging in Surgical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden 01307, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology (TUD), Dresden 01062, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden 01328, Germany
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Andriy Chmyrov
- Department of Functional Imaging in Surgical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden 01307, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology (TUD), Dresden 01062, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden 01328, Germany
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Oliver T Bruns
- Department of Functional Imaging in Surgical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden 01307, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology (TUD), Dresden 01062, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden 01328, Germany
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Bryce S Richards
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
- Light Technology Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Damien Hudry
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
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2
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Zhou Z, Liu Y, Guo L, Wang T, Yan X, Wei S, Qiu D, Chen D, Zhang X, Ju H. Core-Shell Interface Engineering Strategies for Modulating Energy Transfer in Rare Earth-Doped Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:1326. [PMID: 39195364 DOI: 10.3390/nano14161326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Rare earth-doped nanoparticles (RENPs) are promising biomaterials with substantial potential in biomedical applications. Their multilayered core-shell structure design allows for more diverse uses, such as orthogonal excitation. However, the typical synthesis strategies-one-pot successive layer-by-layer (LBL) method and seed-assisted (SA) method-for creating multilayered RENPs show notable differences in spectral performance. To clarify this issue, a thorough comparative analysis of the elemental distribution and spectral characteristics of RENPs synthesized by these two strategies was conducted. The SA strategy, which avoids the partial mixing stage of shell and core precursors inherent in the LBL strategy, produces RENPs with a distinct interface in elemental distribution. This unique elemental distribution reduces unnecessary energy loss via energy transfer between heterogeneous elements in different shell layers. Consequently, the synthesis method choice can effectively modulate the spectral properties of RENPs. This discovery has been applied to the design of orthogonal RENP biomedical probes with appropriate dimensions, where the SA strategy introduces a refined inert interface to prevent unnecessary energy loss. Notably, this strategy has exhibited a 4.3-fold enhancement in NIR-II in vivo imaging and a 2.1-fold increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related photodynamic therapy (PDT) orthogonal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lichao Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xinrong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shijiong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dehui Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Desheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huangxian Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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3
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Pedrazo-Tardajos A, Claes N, Wang D, Sánchez-Iglesias A, Nandi P, Jenkinson K, De Meyer R, Liz-Marzán LM, Bals S. Direct visualization of ligands on gold nanoparticles in a liquid environment. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1278-1285. [PMID: 38937593 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01574-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The interactions between gold nanoparticles, their surface ligands and the solvent critically influence the properties of these nanoparticles. Although spectroscopic and scattering techniques have been used to investigate their ensemble structure, a comprehensive understanding of these processes at the nanoscale remains challenging. Electron microscopy makes it possible to characterize the local structure and composition but is limited by insufficient contrast, electron beam sensitivity and the requirement for ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, which prevent the investigation of dynamic aspects. Here we show that, by exploiting high-quality graphene liquid cells, we can overcome these limitations and investigate the structure of the ligand shell around gold nanoparticles and at the ligand-gold interface in a liquid environment. Using this graphene liquid cell, we visualize the anisotropy, composition and dynamics of ligand distribution on gold nanorod surfaces. Our results indicate a micellar model for surfactant organization. This work provides a reliable and direct visualization of ligand distribution around colloidal nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Pedrazo-Tardajos
- EMAT-University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Claes
- EMAT-University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Da Wang
- EMAT-University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ana Sánchez-Iglesias
- CIC biomaGUNE, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Proloy Nandi
- EMAT-University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kellie Jenkinson
- EMAT-University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Robin De Meyer
- EMAT-University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- Cinbio, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Sara Bals
- EMAT-University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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4
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Zhao Q, Tian X, Ren L, Su Y, Su Q. Understanding of Lanthanide-Doped Core-Shell Structure at the Nanoscale Level. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:1063. [PMID: 38921939 PMCID: PMC11206442 DOI: 10.3390/nano14121063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The groundbreaking development of lanthanide-doped core-shell nanostructures have successfully achieved precise optical tuning of rare-earth nanocrystals, leading to significant improvements in energy transfer efficiency and facilitating multifunctional integration. Exploring the atomic-level structural, physical, and optical properties of rare-earth core-shell nanocrystals is essential for advancing our understanding of their fundamental principles and driving the development of emerging applications. However, our knowledge of the atomic-level structural details of rare-earth nanocrystal core-shell structures remains limited. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of synthesis strategies, characterization techniques, interfacial ion-mixing phenomena, strain effects, and spectral modulation in core-shell structures of rare-earth-doped nanocrystals. Additionally, we prospectively discuss the challenges encountered in studying the fine structures of rare-earth-doped core-shell nanocrystals, particularly the increasing demand for researchers to integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and utilize high-end precision instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhao
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xinle Tian
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Langtao Ren
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yan Su
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency of Science Technology and Research, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Qianqian Su
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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5
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Lei L, Yi M, Wang Y, Hua Y, Zhang J, Prasad PN, Xu S. Dual heterogeneous interfaces enhance X-ray excited persistent luminescence for low-dose 3D imaging. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1140. [PMID: 38326310 PMCID: PMC10850100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45390-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Lanthanide-doped fluoride nanoparticles (NPs) showcase adjustable X-ray-excited persistent luminescence (XEPL), holding significant promise for applications in three-dimensional (3D) imaging through the creation of flexible X-ray detectors. However, a dangerous high X-ray irradiation dose rate and complicated heating procedure are required to generate efficient XEPL for high-resolution 3D imaging, which is attributed to a lack of strategies to significantly enhance the XEPL intensity. Here we report that the XEPL intensity of a series of lanthanide activators (Dy, Pr, Er, Tm, Gd, Tb) is greatly improved by constructing dual heterogeneous interfaces in a double-shell nanostructure. Mechanistic studies indicate that the employed core@shell@shell structure could not only passivate the surface quenchers to lower the non-radiative relaxation possibility, but also reduce the interfacial Frenkel defect formation energy leading to increase the trap concentration. By employing a NPs containing flexible film as the scintillation screen, the inside 3D electrical structure of a watch was clearly achieved based on the delayed XEPL imaging and 3D reconstruction procedure. We foresee that these findings will promote the development of advanced X-ray activated persistent fluoride NPs and offer opportunities for safer and more efficient X-ray imaging techniques in a number of scientific and practical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lei
- Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Optoelectronic Materials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, P.R. China.
| | - Minghao Yi
- Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Optoelectronic Materials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, P.R. China
| | - Yubin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Optoelectronic Materials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, P.R. China
| | - Youjie Hua
- Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Optoelectronic Materials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, P.R. China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Optoelectronic Materials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, P.R. China
| | - Paras N Prasad
- Institute for Lasers, Photonics, and Biophotonics and Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
| | - Shiqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Optoelectronic Materials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, P.R. China.
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6
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Dudek M, Korczak Z, Prorok K, Bezkrovnyi O, Sun L, Szalkowski M, Bednarkiewicz A. Understanding Yb 3+-sensitized photon avalanche in Pr 3+ co-doped nanocrystals: modelling and optimization. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:18613-18623. [PMID: 37953740 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04409b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Among different upconversion processes where the emitted photon has higher energy than the one absorbed, photon avalanche (PA) is unique, because the luminescence intensity increases by 2-3 orders of magnitude in response to a tiny increase in excitation intensity. Since its discovery in 1979, PA has been observed in bulk materials but until recently, obtaining it at the nanoscale has been a significant challenge. In the present work, the PA phenomenon in β-NaYF4 colloidal nanocrystals co-doped with Pr3+ and Yb3+ ions was successfully observed at 482 nm (3P0 → 3H4) and 607 nm (3P0 → 3H6) under excitation at 852 nm. The impact of Pr3+ ion concentration and pump power dependence on PA behavior was investigated, i.e. PA non-linearity slopes of luminescence intensity curves as a function of pump power density as well as PA thresholds. The highest slopes, namely 8.6 and 9.0, and the smallest thresholds equal to 286 kW cm-2 and 281 kW cm-2, observed for emission bands at 607 nm and 482 nm, respectively, were obtained for NaYF4:0.5%Pr3+,15%Yb3+@NaYF4 colloidal nanocrystals. Besides experimental research, simulations of PA behavior in Pr3+, Yb3+ co-doped materials were performed based on differential rate equations describing the phenomena that contribute to the existence of PA. The influence of different processes leading to PA, e.g. the rates of nonradiative and radiative transitions as well as energy transfers, on PA performance was simulated aiming to understand their roles in this complex sensitized system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Dudek
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Zuzanna Korczak
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Prorok
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Oleksii Bezkrovnyi
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Lining Sun
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Marcin Szalkowski
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland.
- Nanophotonics Group, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, ul. Grudziądzka 5, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Artur Bednarkiewicz
- Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland.
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7
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Huang F, Bagheri N, Wang L, Ågren H, Zhang J, Pu R, Zhan Q, Jing Y, Xu W, Widengren J, Liu H. Suppression of Cation Intermixing Highly Boosts the Performance of Core-Shell Lanthanide Upconversion Nanoparticles. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:17621-17631. [PMID: 37549032 PMCID: PMC10436270 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanide upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been extensively explored as biomarkers, energy transducers, and information carriers in wide-ranging applications in areas from healthcare and energy to information technology. In promoting the brightness and enriching the functionalities of UCNPs, core-shell structural engineering has been well-established as an important approach. Despite its importance, a strong limiting issue has been identified, namely, cation intermixing in the interfacial region of the synthesized core-shell nanoparticles. Currently, there still exists confusion regarding this destructive phenomenon and there is a lack of facile means to reach a delicate control of it. By means of a new set of experiments, we identify and provide in this work a comprehensive picture for the major physical mechanism of cation intermixing occurring in synthesis of core-shell UCNPs, i.e., partial or substantial core nanoparticle dissolution followed by epitaxial growth of the outer layer and ripening of the entire particle. Based on this picture, we provide an easy but effective approach to tackle this issue that enables us to produce UCNPs with highly boosted optical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuhua Huang
- Department
of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute
of Technology, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Henan
University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, P. R. China
- Henan
Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, P. R. China
| | - Niusha Bagheri
- Department
of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute
of Technology, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Li Wang
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Henan
University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, P. R. China
- Henan
Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, P. R. China
| | - Hans Ågren
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Henan
University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, P. R. China
- Henan
Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, P. R. China
| | - Jinglai Zhang
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Henan
University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, P. R. China
- Henan
Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, P. R. China
| | - Rui Pu
- Centre
for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, Guangdong Provincial Key
Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, South
China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Qiuqiang Zhan
- Centre
for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, Guangdong Provincial Key
Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, South
China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
- MOE
Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangdong Engineering Research
Centre of Optoelectronic Intelligent Information Perception, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China
| | - Yuhan Jing
- Key Laboratory
of New Energy and Rare Earth Resource Utilization of State Ethnic
Affairs Commission, Key Laboratory of Photosensitive Materials &
Devices of Liaoning Province, School of Physics and Materials Engineering, Dalian Minzu University, 18 Liaohe West Road, Dalian 11660, P.R. China
| | - Wen Xu
- Key Laboratory
of New Energy and Rare Earth Resource Utilization of State Ethnic
Affairs Commission, Key Laboratory of Photosensitive Materials &
Devices of Liaoning Province, School of Physics and Materials Engineering, Dalian Minzu University, 18 Liaohe West Road, Dalian 11660, P.R. China
| | - Jerker Widengren
- Department
of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute
of Technology, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Haichun Liu
- Department
of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute
of Technology, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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8
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Skripka A, Lee M, Qi X, Pan JA, Yang H, Lee C, Schuck PJ, Cohen BE, Jaque D, Chan EM. A Generalized Approach to Photon Avalanche Upconversion in Luminescent Nanocrystals. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:7100-7106. [PMID: 37471584 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Photon avalanching nanoparticles (ANPs) exhibit extremely nonlinear upconverted emission valuable for subdiffraction imaging, nanoscale sensing, and optical computing. Avalanching has been demonstrated with Tm3+-, Pr3+-, or Nd3+-doped nanocrystals, but their emission is limited to a few wavelengths and materials. Here, we utilize Gd3+-assisted energy migration to tune the emission wavelengths of Tm3+-sensitized ANPs and generate highly nonlinear emission from Eu3+, Tb3+, Ho3+, and Er3+ ions. The upconversion intensities of these spectrally discrete ANPs scale with nonlinearity factor s = 10-17 under 1064 nm excitation at power densities as low as 7 kW cm-2. This strategy for imprinting avalanche behavior on remote emitters can be extended to fluorophores adjacent to ANPs, as we demonstrate with CdS/CdSe/CdS core/shell/shell quantum dots. ANPs with rationally designed energy transfer networks provide the means to transform conventional linear emitters into a highly nonlinear ones, expanding the use of photon avalanching in biological, chemical, and photonic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artiom Skripka
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group, Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Minji Lee
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Xiao Qi
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jia-Ahn Pan
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Chemical Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Haoran Yang
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Changhwan Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - P James Schuck
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Bruce E Cohen
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Division of Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley California, 94720, United States
| | - Daniel Jaque
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group, Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
- Institute for Advanced Research in Chemical Sciences (IAdChem), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Emory M Chan
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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9
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Arteaga Cardona F, Jain N, Popescu R, Busko D, Madirov E, Arús BA, Gerthsen D, De Backer A, Bals S, Bruns OT, Chmyrov A, Van Aert S, Richards BS, Hudry D. Preventing cation intermixing enables 50% quantum yield in sub-15 nm short-wave infrared-emitting rare-earth based core-shell nanocrystals. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4462. [PMID: 37491427 PMCID: PMC10368714 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40031-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Short-wave infrared (SWIR) fluorescence could become the new gold standard in optical imaging for biomedical applications due to important advantages such as lack of autofluorescence, weak photon absorption by blood and tissues, and reduced photon scattering coefficient. Therefore, contrary to the visible and NIR regions, tissues become translucent in the SWIR region. Nevertheless, the lack of bright and biocompatible probes is a key challenge that must be overcome to unlock the full potential of SWIR fluorescence. Although rare-earth-based core-shell nanocrystals appeared as promising SWIR probes, they suffer from limited photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The lack of control over the atomic scale organization of such complex materials is one of the main barriers limiting their optical performance. Here, the growth of either homogeneous (α-NaYF4) or heterogeneous (CaF2) shell domains on optically-active α-NaYF4:Yb:Er (with and without Ce3+ co-doping) core nanocrystals is reported. The atomic scale organization can be controlled by preventing cation intermixing only in heterogeneous core-shell nanocrystals with a dramatic impact on the PLQY. The latter reached 50% at 60 mW/cm2; one of the highest reported PLQY values for sub-15 nm nanocrystals. The most efficient nanocrystals were utilized for in vivo imaging above 1450 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noopur Jain
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Radian Popescu
- Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Dmitry Busko
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Eduard Madirov
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Bernardo A Arús
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
- Functional Imaging in Surgical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medizinische Fakultät and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Dagmar Gerthsen
- Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Annick De Backer
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sara Bals
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Oliver T Bruns
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
- Functional Imaging in Surgical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medizinische Fakultät and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Andriy Chmyrov
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Functional Imaging in Surgical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Medizinische Fakultät and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.
| | - Sandra Van Aert
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Bryce S Richards
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.
- Light Technology Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Damien Hudry
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.
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10
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Mun KR, Kyhm J, Lee JY, Shin S, Zhu Y, Kang G, Kim D, Deng R, Jang HS. Elemental-Migration-Assisted Full-Color-Tunable Upconversion Nanoparticles for Video-Rate Three-Dimensional Volumetric Displays. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:3014-3022. [PMID: 36939681 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we demonstrate video-rate color three-dimensional (3D) volumetric displays using elemental-migration-assisted full-color-tunable upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). In the heavily doped NaErF4:Tm-based core@multishell UCNPs, erbium migration was observed. By tailoring this migration through adjustment of the intermediate shell thickness between the core and the sensitizer-doped second shell, red-green orthogonal upconversion luminescence (UCL) was achieved. Furthermore, highly efficient red-green-blue orthogonal UCL and full-color tunability were achieved in the UCNPs through a combination of elemental-migration-assisted color tuning and selective photon blocking. Finally, 3D volumetric displays were fabricated using a UCNP-polydimethylsiloxane composite. More specifically, 3D color images were created and motion pictures based on the expansion, rotation, and up/down movement of the displayed images were realized in the display matrix. Overall, our study provides new insights into upconversion color tuning and the achievement of motion pictures in the UCNP-polydimethylsiloxane composite is expected to accelerate the further development of solid-state full-color 3D volumetric displays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang Rok Mun
- Materials Architecturing Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Kyhm
- Technology Convergence Support Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Ja Yeon Lee
- Materials Architecturing Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungyong Shin
- Materials Architecturing Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yiyuan Zhu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Gumin Kang
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghwan Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Renren Deng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ho Seong Jang
- Materials Architecturing Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Nano & Information Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
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11
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Assessing the reproducibility and up-scaling of the synthesis of Er,Yb-doped NaYF 4-based upconverting nanoparticles and control of size, morphology, and optical properties. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2288. [PMID: 36759652 PMCID: PMC9911732 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28875-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lanthanide-based, spectrally shifting, and multi-color luminescent upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have received much attention in the last decades because of their applicability as reporter for bioimaging, super-resolution microscopy, and sensing as well as barcoding and anti-counterfeiting tags. A prerequisite for the broad application of UCNPs in areas such as sensing and encoding are simple, robust, and easily upscalable synthesis protocols that yield large quantities of UCNPs with sizes of 20 nm or more with precisely controlled and tunable physicochemical properties from low-cost reagents with a high reproducibility. In this context, we studied the reproducibility, robustness, and upscalability of the synthesis of β-NaYF4:Yb, Er UCNPs via thermal decomposition. Reaction parameters included solvent, precursor chemical compositions, ratio, and concentration. The resulting UCNPs were then examined regarding their application-relevant physicochemical properties such as size, size distribution, morphology, crystal phase, chemical composition, and photoluminescence. Based on these screening studies, we propose a small volume and high-concentration synthesis approach that can provide UCNPs with different, yet controlled size, an excellent phase purity and tunable morphology in batch sizes of up to at least 5 g which are well suited for the fabrication of sensors, printable barcodes or authentication and recycling tags.
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12
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Zhang Y, Yang X, Zhao SN, Zhai Y, Pang X, Lin J. Recent Developments of Microscopic Study for Lanthanide and Manganese Doped Luminescent Materials. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2205014. [PMID: 36310419 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent materials are indispensable for applications in lighting, displays and photovoltaics, which can transfer, absorb, store and utilize light energy. Their performance is closely related with their size and morphologies, exact atomic arrangement, and local configuration about photofunctional centers. Advanced electron microscopy-based techniques have enabled the possibility to study nanostructures with atomic resolution. Especially, with the advanced micro-electro-mechanical systems, it is able to characterize the luminescent materials at the atomic scale under various environments, providing a deep understanding of the luminescent mechanism. Accordingly, this review summarizes the recent achievements of microscopic study to directly image the microstructure and local environment of activators in lanthanide and manganese (Ln/Mn2+ )-doped luminescent materials, including: 1) bulk materials, the typical systems are nitride/oxynitride phosphors; and 2) nanomaterials, such as nanocrystals (hexagonal-phase NaLnF4 and perovskite) and 2D nanosheets (Ca2 Ta3 O10 and MoS2 ). Finally, the challenges and limitations are highlighted, and some possible solutions to facilitate the developments of advanced luminescent materials are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xuewei Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shu-Na Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yalong Zhai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xinchang Pang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
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13
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Clark PCJ, Andresen E, Sear MJ, Favaro M, Girardi L, van de Krol R, Resch-Genger U, Starr DE. Quantification of the Activator and Sensitizer Ion Distributions in NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ , Er 3+ Upconverting Nanoparticles Via Depth-Profiling with Tender X-Ray Photoemission. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2107976. [PMID: 35732601 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202107976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The spatial distribution and concentration of lanthanide activator and sensitizer dopant ions are of key importance for the luminescence color and efficiency of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). Quantifying dopant ion distributions and intermixing, and correlating them with synthesis methods require suitable analytical techniques. Here, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth-profiling with tender X-rays (2000-6000 eV), providing probe depths ideally matched to UCNP sizes, is used to measure the depth-dependent concentration ratios of Er3+ to Yb3+ , [Er3+ ]/[Yb3+ ], in three types of UCNPs prepared using different reagents and synthesis methods. This is combined with data simulations and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) measurements of the lanthanide ion concentrations to construct models of the UCNPs' dopant ion distributions. The UCNP sizes and architectures are chosen to demonstrate the potential of this approach. Core-only UCNPs synthesized with XCl3 ·6H2 O precursors (β-phase) exhibit a homogeneous distribution of lanthanide ions, but a slightly surface-enhanced [Er3+ ]/[Yb3+ ] is observed for UCNPs prepared with trifluroacetate precursors (α-phase). Examination of Yb-core@Er-shell UCNPs reveals a co-doped, intermixed region between the single-doped core and shell. The impact of these different dopant ion distributions on the UCNP's optical properties is discussed to highlight their importance for UCNP functionality and the design of efficient UCNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pip C J Clark
- Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elina Andresen
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Division 1.10 Biophotonics, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael J Sear
- Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Favaro
- Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leonardo Girardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and INSTM Unit, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 1, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Roel van de Krol
- Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Resch-Genger
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Division 1.10 Biophotonics, Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - David E Starr
- Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Radnik J, Knigge X, Andresen E, Resch-Genger U, Cant DJH, Shard AG, Clifford CA. Composition, thickness, and homogeneity of the coating of core-shell nanoparticles-possibilities, limits, and challenges of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:4331-4345. [PMID: 35471249 PMCID: PMC9142455 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04057-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Core-shell nanoparticles have attracted much attention in recent years due to their unique properties and their increasing importance in many technological and consumer products. However, the chemistry of nanoparticles is still rarely investigated in comparison to their size and morphology. In this review, the possibilities, limits, and challenges of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for obtaining more insights into the composition, thickness, and homogeneity of nanoparticle coatings are discussed with four examples: CdSe/CdS quantum dots with a thick coating and a small core; NaYF4-based upconverting nanoparticles with a large Yb-doped core and a thin Er-doped coating; and two types of polymer nanoparticles with a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) core with either a poly(methyl methacrylate) or polystyrene coating. Different approaches for calculating the thickness of the coating are presented, like a simple numerical modelling or a more complex simulation of the photoelectron peaks. Additionally, modelling of the XPS background for the investigation of coating is discussed. Furthermore, the new possibilities to measure with varying excitation energies or with hard-energy X-ray sources (hard-energy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) are described. A discussion about the sources of uncertainty for the determination of the thickness of the coating completes this review. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Radnik
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung Und -Prüfung (BAM), Division 6.1 "Surface Analysis and Interfacial Chemistry", Unter den Eichen 44-46, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Xenia Knigge
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung Und -Prüfung (BAM), Division 6.1 "Surface Analysis and Interfacial Chemistry", Unter den Eichen 44-46, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elina Andresen
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -Prüfung (BAM), Division 1.2 "Biophotonics", Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Resch-Genger
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -Prüfung (BAM), Division 1.2 "Biophotonics", Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - David J H Cant
- National Physical Laboratory, Surface Technology Group, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Alex G Shard
- National Physical Laboratory, Surface Technology Group, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - Charles A Clifford
- National Physical Laboratory, Surface Technology Group, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
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15
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Liu Y, Zhou M, Zhou MT, Wei HL, Su Y, Su Q. Simultaneous ultraviolet-C and near-infrared enhancement in heterogeneous lanthanide nanocrystals. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:4595-4603. [PMID: 35255115 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr07329j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals that simultaneously convert near-infrared (NIR) irradiation into emission of shorter (ultraviolet-C, UVC) and longer wavelengths (NIR) offer many exciting opportunities for application in drug release, photodynamic therapy, deep-tissue bioimaging, and solid-state lasing. However, a formidable challenge is the development of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with efficient UVC and NIR emissions simultaneously due to their low conversion efficiency. Here, we report a dye-sensitized heterogeneous core-multishell architecture with enhanced UVC emission and NIR emission under 793 nm excitation. This nanocrystal design efficiently suppresses energy trapping induced by interior lattice defects and promotes upconverted UVC emission from Gd3+. Moreover, a significant downshifting emission from Yb3+ at 980 nm was also observed owing to an efficient energy transfer from Nd3+ to Yb3+. Furthermore, by taking advantage of ICG sensitization, we realized a largely enhanced emission from the UVC to NIR spectral region. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of the upconversion and downshifting processes within a heterogeneous architecture while offering exciting opportunities for important biological and energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachong Liu
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Mingzhu Zhou
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Meng-Tao Zhou
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Han-Lin Wei
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Yan Su
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency of Science Technology and Research, 138672, Singapore
| | - Qianqian Su
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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