Luminescence enhancement through co-sensitization in lanthanide composites for efficient photocatalysis

Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals that convert near-infrared (NIR) irradiation into shorter wavelength emission (ultraviolet-C) offer many exciting opportunities for biomedicine, bioimaging, and environmental catalysis. However, developing lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with high UVC brightness for efficient photocatalysis is a formidable challenge due to the complexity of the multiphoton process. Here, we report a series of heterogeneous core-multishell structures based on a co-sensitization strategy with multi-band enhanced emission profiles under 980 nm excitation. Interestingly, the multiphoton processes involving two to six-photon upconversion are highly promoted via a co-sensitization strategy. More importantly, through growth layers of TiO2 and CdS photocatalysts, these lanthanide nanocomposites with efficient multi-upconverted emission show efficient photocatalytic activity. This study provides a new perspective for mechanistic understanding of multiphoton processes in heterostructures and also offers exciting opportunities for highly efficient photocatalytic applications.

Bright photon upconversion in LiYbF4:Tm3+@LiYF4 nanoparticles and their application for singlet oxygen generation and in immunoassay for SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein

Photon upconversion is an intensively investigated phenomenon in the materials sciences due to its unique applications, mainly in biomedicine for disease prevention and treatment. This study reports the synthesis and properties of tetragonal LiYbF4:Tm3+@LiYF4 core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) and their applications. The NPs had sizes ranging from 18.5 to 23.7 nm. As a result of the energy transfer between Yb3+ and Tm3+ ions, the synthesized NPs show intense emission in the ultraviolet (UV) range up to 347 nm under 975 nm excitation. The bright emission in the UV range allows for singlet oxygen generation in the presence of hematoporphyrin on the surface of NPs. Our studies show that irradiation with a 975 nm laser of the functionalized NPs allows for the production of amounts of singlet oxygen easily detectable by Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green. The high emission intensity of NPs at 800 nm allowed the application of the synthesized NPs in an upconversion-linked immunosorbent assay (ULISA) for highly sensitive detection of the nucleoprotein from SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19. This article proves that LiYbF4:Tm3+@LiYF4 core@shell nanoparticles can be perfect alternatives for the most commonly studied upconverting NPs based on the NaYF4 host compound and are good candidates for biomedical applications.

Dye Sensitization for Ultraviolet Upconversion Enhancement

Upconversion nanocrystals that converted near-infrared radiation into emission in the ultraviolet spectral region offer many exciting opportunities for drug release, photocatalysis, photodynamic therapy, and solid-state lasing. However, a key challenge is the development of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with efficient ultraviolet emission, due to low conversion efficiency. Here, we develop a dye-sensitized, heterogeneous core–multishelled lanthanide nanoparticle for ultraviolet upconversion enhancement. We systematically study the main influencing factors on ultraviolet upconversion emission, including dye concentration, excitation wavelength, and dye-sensitizer distance. Interestingly, our experimental results demonstrate a largely promoted multiphoton upconversion. The underlying mechanism and detailed energy transfer pathway are illustrated. These findings offer insights into future developments of highly ultraviolet-emissive nanohybrids and provide more opportunities for applications in photo-catalysis, biomedicine, and environmental science.

Polymer-Functionalized Upconversion Nanoparticles for Light/Imaging-Guided Drug Delivery

The strong upconversion luminescence (UCL) of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) endows the nanoparticles with attractive features for combined imaging and drug delivery. UCNPs convert near-infrared (NIR) light into light of shorter wavelengths such as light in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible regions, which can be used for light-guided drug delivery. Although light-responsive drug delivery systems as such have been known for many years, their application in medicine is limited, as strong UV-light can be damaging to tissue; moreover, UV light will not penetrate deeply into the skin, an issue that UCNPs can now address. However, UCNPs, as obtained after synthesis, are usually hydrophobic and require further surface functionalization to be stable in plasma. Polymers can serve as versatile surface coatings, as they can provide good colloidal stability, prevent the formation of a protein corona, provide a matrix for drugs, and be stimuli-responsive. In this Review, we provide a brief overview of the most recent progress in the synthesis of UCNPs with different shapes/sizes. We will then discuss the purpose of polymer coating for drug delivery before summarizing the strategies to coat UCNPs with various polymers. We will introduce the different polymers that have so far been used to coat UCNPs with the purpose to create a drug delivery system, focusing in detail on light-responsive polymers. To expand the application of UCNPs to allow photothermal therapy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or to simply enhance the loading capacity of drugs, UCNPs were often combined with other materials to generate multifunctional nanoparticles such as carbon-based NPs and nanoMOFs. We then conclude with a discussion on drug loading and release and summarize the current knowledge on the toxicity of these polymer-coated UCNPs.

Six-photon upconverted excitation energy lock-in for ultraviolet-C enhancement

Photon upconversion of near-infrared (NIR) irradiation into ultraviolet-C (UVC) emission offers many exciting opportunities for drug release in deep tissues, photodynamic therapy, solid-state lasing, energy storage, and photocatalysis. However, NIR-to-UVC upconversion remains a daunting challenge due to low quantum efficiency. Here, we report an unusual six-photon upconversion process in Gd³⁺/Tm³⁺-codoped nanoparticles following a heterogeneous core-multishell architecture. This design efficiently suppresses energy consumption induced by interior energy traps, maximizes cascade sensitizations of the NIR excitation, and promotes upconverted UVC emission from high-lying excited states. We realized the intense six-photon-upconverted UV emissions at 253 nm under 808 nm excitation. This work provides insight into mechanistic understanding of the upconversion process within the heterogeneous architecture, while offering exciting opportunities for developing nanoscale UVC emitters that can be remotely controlled through deep tissues upon NIR illumination.

Photon upconversion with near-infrared excitation and ultraviolet emission has many applications, but suffers from low quantum efficiency. Here, the authors report a six-photon upconversion process in nanoparticles with heterogeneous core-multishell structure, that regulate the energy transfer pathway.

Gd3+-Doping Effect on Upconversion Emission of NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+/Tm3+ Microparticles

β-NaYF₄ microcrystals co-doped with Yb³⁺, Er³⁺/Tm³⁺, and Gd³⁺ ions were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using rare-earth chlorides as the precursors. The SEM and XRD data show that the doped β-NaYF₄ form uniform hexagonal prisms with an approximate size of 600-800 nm. The partial substitution of Y by Gd results in size reduction of microcrystals. Upconversion luminescence spectra of microcrystals upon 980 nm excitation contain characteristic intra-configurational ff bands of Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ ions. An addition of Gd³⁺ ions leads to a significant enhancement of upconversion luminescence intensity with maxima at 5 mol % of dopant.

Efficient upconverting carbon nitride nanotubes for near-infrared-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production

We report a facile chemical technique for synthesizing nanotube-based hybrid materials for near-infrared-driven photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) production. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), NaYF₄:Yb,Tm,Gd (NYFG) and NaYF₄:Yb,Tm (NYF), were engineered on C₃N₄ nanotubes (C₃N₄ NTs) separately to construct heterojunction structures. With a UCNP loading content of 15 wt%, the NYFG/C₃N₄ NT heterojunction exhibits the highest H₂ generation rate of 311.6 μmol g^-1 with an apparent quantum efficiency of 0.80 ‰, about 1.4 times higher than that of the NYF/C₃N₄ NT nanocomposite under 980 nm laser irradiation. Comprehensive characterization reveals that the enhanced photocatalytic performance of the Gd doped nanostructure is attributed to the synergistic effect, stronger interaction, higher emission intensities, and faster charge transfer between the UCNPs and C₃N₄ NTs. Moreover, the steady-state and dynamic fluorescence spectra indicate that the energy from NYFG NPs was transferred to C₃N₄ NTs via a fluorescence-resonance energy-transfer process. Our work demonstrates the potential of developing near-infrared-responsive photocatalysts for energy and environmental applications.

Controlled synthesis of bifunctional 3D BiOBr:Eu3+ hierarchitectures with tunable thickness for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activities and mechanism insight

Bifunctional 3D BiOBr:Eu³⁺ hierarchical nanostructures assembled by nanosheets with tunable thickness have been successfully synthesized.

Highly Sensitive, Visible Blind, Wearable, and Omnidirectional Near-Infrared Photodetectors

Visible blind near-infrared (NIR) photodetection is essential when it comes to weapons used by military personnel, narrow band detectors used in space navigation systems, medicine, and research studies. The technological field of filterless visible blind, NIR omnidirectional photodetection and wearability is at a preliminary stage. Here, we present a filterless and lightweight design for a visible blind and wearable NIR photodetector capable of harvesting light omnidirectionally. The filterless NIR photodetector comprises the integration of distinct features of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), graphene, and micropyramidal poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) film. The lanthanide-doped UCNPs are designed such that the maximum narrow band detection of NIR is easily accomplished by the photodetector even in the presence of visible light sources. Especially, the 4f ⁿ electronic configuration of lanthanide dopant ions provides for a multilevel hierarchical energy system that provides for longer lifetime of the excited states for photogenerated charge carriers to transfer to the graphene layer. The graphene layer can serve as an outstanding conduction path for photogenerated charge carrier transfer from UCNPs, and the flexible micropyramidal PDMS substrate provides an excellent platform for omnidirectional NIR light detection. Owing to these advantages, a photoresponsivity of ∼800 AW^-1 is achieved by the NIR photodetector, which is higher than the values ever reported by UCNPs-based photodetectors. In addition, the photodetector is stretchable, durable, and transparent, making it suitable for next-generation wearable optoelectronic devices.

Enhancement of fluorescent emission in photonic crystal film and application in photocatalysis

Fluorescent photonic crystal films composed of monodisperse NaYF₄:15Yb,0.5Tm@SiO₂ (where 15 and 0.5 represent the mole percentage of reactants) core-shell spheres were successfully fabricated and applied in photocatalysis. The core-shell spheres were prepared using a modified Stober method, and fluorescent photonic crystal films were fabricated via a simple self-assembly method. The morphologies, structures and upconversion fluorescent properties of the fluorescent photonic crystal films with different photonic band gaps were characterized. Moreover, their photocatalytic capability in decomposing rhodamine B using near-infrared light was studied. Results indicate that the band edge effect plays a critical role in the enhancement of short wave emission intensity of fluorescent photonic crystal films. Specifically, in comparison to the reference sample without a band edge effect, the 363 nm emission intensity was enhanced by 5.97 times, while the percentage of UV upconversion emission was improved by 6.23%. In addition, the 451 nm emission intensity was enhanced by 5.81 times, and the percentage of visible upconversion emission was improved by 8.88%. Furthermore, fluorescent photonic crystal films with enhanced short wave emission exhibited great photocatalytic performance in the degradation of rhodamine B aqueous solutions under near-infrared light.

Fe3+-Enhanced NIR-to-NIR upconversion nanocrystals for tumor-targeted trimodal bioimaging

Fe³⁺-Enhanced NIR-to-NIR multifunctional upconversion luminescence nanocrystals were synthesized for excellent tumor-targeted UCL/MRI/X-ray trimodal bioimaging.

Multilayered upconversion nanocomposites with dual photosensitizing functions for enhanced photodynamic therapy

The energy transfer from upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to photosensitizers has been widely used for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) by near infrared (NIR) excitation. However, the poor spectral overlap of lanthanide ions and conventional photosensitizers leads to low PDT efficiency. In this study, we construct a multilayered upconversion nanoplatform with dual photosensitizers to efficiently use the UV and visible upconversion emissions in NIR-responsive PDT. The nanoplatform consists of three functional layers, which are the upconversion nanoparticle as a core, and light-sensitive conjugated polymer and apo-transferrin-titanocene (Tf@Tc) as shells. Under NIR irradiation, apparent energy transfer occurs from the core to the polymer and Tc components in the shell, producing reactive oxygen species and free radicals for cancer cell killing. In vitro cellular assays show the synergistic therapeutic effect of the conjugated polymer and Tc as photosensitizers. In vivo animal studies show that tumor growth is significantly inhibited in the mice receiving the theranostic platform and NIR irradiation. Based on these observations, the multilayered upconversion nanocomposites can find potential applications in NIR-mediated anti-tumor therapy.

Tuning the morphology, luminescence and magnetic properties of hexagonal-phase NaGdF4: Yb, Er nanocrystals via altering the addition sequence of the precursors

Hexagonal-phase NaGdF₄: Yb, Er upconversion nanocrystals (UCNCs) with tunable morphology and properties were successfully prepared via a thermal decomposition method. The influences of the adding sequence of the precursors on the morphology, chemical composition, luminescence and magnetic properties were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), upconversion (UC) spectroscopy, and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was found that the resulting nanocrystals, with different sizes ranging from 24 to 224 nm, are in the shape of spheres,  hexagonal plates and flakes; moreover, the composition percentage of Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions was found to vary in a regular pattern with the adding sequence. Furthermore, the intensity ratios of emission colors (f _g/r, f _g/p), and the magnetic mass susceptibility of hexagonal-phase NaGdF₄: Yb, Er nanocrystals change along with the composition of the nanocrystals. A positive correlation between the susceptibility and f _g/r of NaGdF₄: Yb, Er was proposed. The decomposition processes of the precursors were investigated by a thermogravimetric (TG) analyzer. The result indicated that the decomposition of the resolved lanthanide trifluoroacetate is greatly different from lanthanide trifluoroacetate powder. It is of tremendous help to recognize the decomposition process of the precursors and to understand the related reaction mechanism.

Photocatalysis of NaYF4:Yb,Er/CdSe composites under 1560 nm laser excitation

Upon 1560 nm excitation, higher energy levels of Er³⁺ ions are populated. FRET and photons reabsorption to occur from NaYF₄:Yb,Er to CdSe. Then activated CdSe produces electrons and holes in the conduction band and the valence band, respectively.

Monomer zinc phthalocyanine/upconversion nanoparticle coated with hyaluronic acid crosslinked gel as NIR light-activated drug for in vitro photodynamic therapy

A monomeric phthalocyanine based NIR-triggered cancer target nanosystem was prepared and showed satisfied in vitro anticancer activity.

Enhanced luminescence efficiency of aqueous dispersible NaYF4:Yb/Er nanoparticles and the effect of surface coating

In a general approach, we designed and synthesized monodisperse, well-defined, highly emissive and aqueous dispersible NaYF₄:Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles, and thereafter their surfaces were coated with inert NaYF₄ and silica layers.

A dual-fluorescent nano-carrier for delivering photoactive ruthenium polypyridyl complexes

A photo-responsive diagnostic conjugate was generated by loading a photoactive polypyridyl ruthenium complex onto a dual-fluorescent nanocarrier, resulting in photo-induced cytotoxicity.

Ratiometric fluorescent nanosensors for selective detecting cysteine with upconversion luminescence

Fluorescent sensors based on upconversion (UC) luminescence have been considered as a promising strategy to detect bio-analyte due to their advantages in deep penetration, minimum autofluorescence, and ratiometric fluorescent output. A prototype of nanosensors combined with mesoporous silica coated upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and a fluorescein-based fluorescent probe loaded in pores was therefore designed to detect cysteine (Cys). The silica shell provided loading space for the probe and enabled the nanosensors to disperse in water. In the presence of Cys, the fluorescent probe was transformed into 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein with an emission band centering at 518 nm which was secondarily excited by the light at around 475 nm from NaYF4:Yb(3+), Tm(3+) UCNPs driven by 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser. The intensity ratio between green and blue luminescence (I518/I475) grew exponentially with increasing concentrations of Cys over a range of 20-200 μmolL(-1). The response of the nanosensors towards Cys was recognizable with naked eyes by luminescence color change. Evidences suggest that these nanosensors are capable of sensing Cys in aqueous solution and distinguishing Cys from homocysteine (Hcy) with kinetically-controlled selectivity. The system was further employed to detect Cys in human serum and the result was in agreement with it tested by high performance liquid chromatography with acceptable recovery.

Regiospecific Hetero-Assembly of DNA-Functionalized Plasmonic Upconversion Superstructures

We report a novel strategy for regiospecific hetero-assembly of DNA-modified gold nanoparticles (DNA-AuNPs) onto upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) into hybrid lab-on-a-particle systems. The DNA-AuNPs have been assembled onto the hexagonal plate-like UCNPs with well-regulated stoichiometry and controlled organization onto the different facets of UCNP, forming various addressable superstructures. The fine-tuning of stoichiometry and organization is realized by biorecognition specificity of DNA toward specific crystal facets of UCNPs. Such a hetero-assembled DNA-AuNP/UCNP system maintains both plasmonic resonance of AuNPs and fluorescent properties of UCNPs, allowing targeted dual-modality imaging of cancer cells using an aptamer.

Intense UV upconversion through highly sensitized NaRF4:Tm (R:Y,Yb) crystals

Photon upconverting luminescent hexagonal NaRF₄:Tm (0.5 mol%) (R:Y³⁺,Yb³⁺) crystals with Yb³⁺ concentrations between 20 and 99.5 mol% were synthesized by a modified thermal coprecipitation method.

Synthesis of Nd3+/Yb3+ sensitized upconversion core–shell nanocrystals with optimized hosts and doping concentrations

Dual Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ sensitized upconversion core–shell nanocrystals with strong upconversion emissions under both 808 nm and 980 nm excitation are developed.

An active-core/active-shell structure with enhanced quantum-cutting luminescence in Pr-Yb co-doped monodisperse nanoparticles

Monodisperse Pr(3+)/Yb(3+):NaGdF₄@NaYF₄ active-core/inert-shell nanoparticles, which exhibit efficient near-infrared quantum-cutting luminescence, are successfully prepared. In order to relieve the adverse effect caused by concentration quenching in the core, the extra Yb(3+) ions are introduced into the shell, forming an active-core/active-shell structure which leads to a much intensified near-infrared emission.

Controllable synthesis and size-dependent upconversion luminescence properties of Lu2O3:Yb3+/Er3+ nanospheres

Lu₂O₃:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanospheres with various sizes have been synthesized by the soft chemistry coprecipitation route and these samples have shown size-dependent UCL property under 980 nm excitation.

Upconversion nanophosphors for solar cell applications

This review focuses on the various synthetic approaches to upconversion nanocrystals and recent developments in the photovoltaic applications of upconversion nanomaterials.

Magnetic/upconversion fluorescent NaGdF4:Yb,Er nanoparticle-based dual-modal molecular probes for imaging tiny tumors in vivo

Detection of early malignant tumors remains clinically difficult; developing ultrasensitive imaging agents is therefore highly demanded. Owing to the unusual magnetic and optical properties associated with f-electrons, rare-earth elements are very suitable for creating functional materials potentially useful for tumor imaging. Nanometer-sized particles offer such a platform with which versatile unique properties of the rare-earth elements can be integrated. Yet the development of rare-earth nanoparticle-based tumor probes suitable for imaging tiny tumors in vivo remains difficult, which challenges not only the physical properties of the nanoparticles but also the rationality of the probe design. Here we report new approaches for size control synthesis of magnetic/upconversion fluorescent NaGdF4:Yb,Er nanocrystals and their applications for imaging tiny tumors in vivo. By independently varying F(-):Ln(3+) and Na(+):Ln(3+) ratios, the size and shape regulation mechanisms were investigated. By replacing the oleic acid ligand with PEG2000 bearing a maleimide group at one end and two phosphate groups at the other end, PEGylated NaGdF4:Yb,Er nanoparticles with optimized size and upconversion fluorescence were obtained. Accordingly, a dual-modality molecular tumor probe was prepared, as a proof of concept, by covalently attaching antitumor antibody to PEGylated NaGdF4:Yb,Er nanoparticles through a "click" reaction. Systematic investigations on tumor detections, through magnetic resonance imaging and upconversion fluorescence imaging, were carried out to image intraperitoneal tumors and subcutaneous tumors in vivo. Owing to the excellent properties of the molecular probes, tumors smaller than 2 mm was successfully imaged in vivo. In addition, pharmacokinetic studies on differently sized particles were performed to disclose the particle size dependent biodistributions and elimination pathways.

A versatile cooperative template-directed coating method to construct uniform microporous carbon shells for multifunctional core-shell nanocomposites

A very simple cooperative template-directed coating method is developed for the preparation of core-shell, hollow, and yolk-shell microporous carbon nanocomposites. Particularly, the cationic surfactant C16TMA(+)·Br(-) used in the coating procedure improves the core dispersion in the reaction media and serves as the soft template for mesostructured resorcinol-formaldehyde resin formation, which results in the uniform polymer and microporous carbon shell coating on most functional cores with different surface properties. The core diameter and the shell thickness of the nanocomposites can be precisely tailored. This approach is highly reproducible and scalable. Several grams of polymer and carbon nanocomposites can be easily prepared by a facile one-pot reaction. The Au@hydrophobic microporous carbon yolk-shell catalyst favors the reduction of more hydrophobic nitrobenzene than hydrophilic 4-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride, which makes this type of catalyst@carbon yolk-shell composites promising nanomaterials as selective catalysts for hydrophobic reactants.