NIR luminescence lifetime nanothermometry based on phonon assisted Yb3+-Nd3+ energy transfer

Lanthanide-based nanomaterials for temperature sensing in the near-infrared spectral region: illuminating progress and challenges

Being first proposed as a method to overcome limitations associated with conventional contact thermometers, luminescence thermometry has been extensively studied over the past two decades as a sensitive and fast approach to remote and minimally invasive thermal sensing. Herein, lanthanide (Ln)-doped nanoparticles (Ln-NPs) have been identified as particularly promising candidates, given their outstanding optical properties. Known primarily for their upconversion emission, Ln-NPs have also been recognized for their ability to be excited with and emit in the near-infrared (NIR) regions matching the NIR transparency windows. This sparked the emergence of the development of NIR-NIR Ln-NPs for a wide range of temperature-sensing applications. The shift to longer excitation and emission wavelengths resulted in increased efforts being put into developing nanothermometers for biomedical applications, however most research is still preclinical. This mini-review outlines and addresses the challenges that limit the reliability and implementation of luminescent nanothermometers to real-life applications. Through a critical look into the recent developments from the past 4 years, we highlight attempts to overcome some of the limitations associated with excitation wavelength, thermal sensitivity, calibration, as well as light-matter interactions. Strategies range from use of longer excitation wavelengths, brighter emitters through strategic core/multi-shell architectures, exploitation of host phonons, and a shift from double- to single-band ratiometric as well as lifetime-based approaches to innovative methods based on computation and machine learning. To conclude, we offer a perspective on remaining gaps and where efforts should be focused towards more robust nanothermometers allowing a shift to real-life, e.g., in vivo, applications.

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence of novel Eu3+, Tb3+, and Dy3+ doped LaCa4O(BO3)3: Insights at low and room temperatures

This study explores the structural and optical qualities of LaCa4O(BO3)3 (LACOB) phosphors doped with Eu3+, Dy3+, and Tb3+ using a microwave-assisted sol-gel technique. It uncovers oxygen-related luminescence defects in LACOB, highlighting emission peaks at 489 and 585 nm for Dy3+, a distinct sharp peak at 611 nm for Eu3+ in the red spectrum, and a notable green emission for Tb3+ due to specific transitions. The photoluminescence (PL) analysis indicates that luminescence is optimized through precise doping, leveraging dipole interactions, and localized resonant energy transfer, which are influenced by dopant concentration and spatial configuration. Temperature studies show emission intensity variations, particularly noticeable below 100 K for Tb3+ doped samples, demonstrating the nuanced balance between thermal quenching and luminescence efficiency. This temperature dependency, alongside the identified optimal doping conditions, underscores the potential of these materials for advanced photonic applications, offering insights into their thermal behavior and emission mechanisms under different conditions.

Near Infrared Emissive Lanthanide Luminescence Nanoparticle Used in Early Diagnosis and Brain Temperature Detection for Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the most dangerous medical conditions resulting in high mortality and morbidity. The increased brain temperature after IS is closely related to prognosis, making it highly significant for the early diagnosis and the progression evaluation of IS. Herein, a temperature-responsive near infrared (NIR) emissive lanthanide luminescence nanoparticle is developed for the early diagnosis and brain temperature detection of IS. After intravenous injection, the nanoparticles can pass through the damaged blood-brain barrier of the ischemic region, allowing the extravasation and enrichment of nanoparticles into the ischemic brain tissue. The NIR luminescence signals of the nanoparticles are used not only to judge the location and severity of the cerebral ischemic injury but also to report the brain temperature variation in the ischemic area through a visualized way. The results show that the designed nanoparticles can be used for the early diagnosis of ischemic stroke and minimally invasive temperature detection of cerebral ischemic tissues in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mice model, which is expected to make the clinical diagnosis of ischemic stroke more rapid and convenient, more accurately evaluate the state of brain injury in stroke patients and also guide stroke hypothermia treatment.

Exploring the Origin of the Thermal Sensitivity of Near-Infrared-II Emitting Rare Earth Nanoparticles

Rare-earth doped nanoparticles (RENPs) are attracting increasing interest in materials science due to their optical, magnetic, and chemical properties. RENPs can emit and absorb radiation in the second biological window (NIR-II, 1000-1400 nm) making them ideal optical probes for photoluminescence (PL) in vivo imaging. Their narrow emission bands and long PL lifetimes enable autofluorescence-free multiplexed imaging. Furthermore, the strong temperature dependence of the PL properties of some of these RENPs makes remote thermal imaging possible. This is the case of neodymium and ytterbium co-doped NPs that have been used as thermal reporters for in vivo diagnosis of, for instance, inflammatory processes. However, the lack of knowledge about how the chemical composition and architecture of these NPs influence their thermal sensitivity impedes further optimization. To shed light on this, we have systematically studied their emission intensity, PL decay time curves, absolute PL quantum yield, and thermal sensitivity as a function of the core chemical composition and size, active-shell, and outer-inert-shell thicknesses. The results revealed the crucial contribution of each of these factors in optimizing the NP thermal sensitivity. An optimal active shell thickness of around 2 nm and an outer inert shell of 3.5 nm maximize the PL lifetime and the thermal response of the NPs due to the competition between the temperature-dependent back energy transfer, the surface quenching effects, and the confinement of active ions in a thin layer. These findings pave the way for a rational design of RENPs with optimal thermal sensitivity.

Nd3+, Yb3+:YF3 Optical Temperature Nanosensors Operating in the Biological Windows

This work is devoted to the study of thermometric performances of Nd³⁺ (0.1 or 0.5 mol.%), Yb³⁺ (X%):YF₃ nanoparticles. Temperature sensitivity of spectral shape is related to the phonon-assisted nature of energy transfer (PAET) between Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺). However, in the case of single-doped Nd³⁺ (0.1 or 0.5 mol.%):YF₃ nanoparticles, luminescence decay time (LDT) of ⁴F_3/2 level of Nd³⁺ in Nd³⁺ (0.5 mol.%):YF₃ decreases with the temperature decrease. In turn, luminescence decay time in Nd³⁺ (0.1 mol.%):YF₃ sample remains constant. It was proposed, that at 0.5 mol.% the cross-relaxation (CR) between Nd³⁺ ions takes place in contradistinction from 0.1 mol.% Nd³⁺ concentration. The decrease of LDT with temperature is explained by the decrease of distances between Nd³⁺ with temperature that leads to the increase of cross-relaxation efficiency. It was suggested, that the presence of both CR and PAET processes in the studied system (Nd³⁺ (0.5 mol.%), Yb³⁺ (X%):YF₃) nanoparticles provides higher temperature sensitivity compared to the systems having one process (Nd³⁺ (0.1 mol.%), Yb³⁺ (X%):YF₃). The experimental results confirmed this suggestion. The maximum relative temperature sensitivity was 0.9%·K^-1 at 80 K.

Influence of the Synthesis Conditions on the Morphology and Thermometric Properties of the Lifetime-Based Luminescent Thermometers in YPO4:Yb3+,Nd3+ Nanocrystals

An increase in the accuracy of remote temperature readout using luminescent thermometry is determined, among other things, by the relative sensitivity of the thermometer. Therefore, to increase the sensitivity, intensive work is carried out to optimize the host material composition and select the luminescent ions accordingly. However, the role of nanocrystal morphology in thermometric performance is often neglected. This paper presents a systematic study determining the role of synthesis parameters of the solvothermal method on the morphology of YPO4:Yb3+,Nd3+ nanocrystals and their effect on the lifetime of Yb3+ ion-based luminescent thermometer performance. It was shown that by changing the RE3+:(PO4)3- ratio and the concentration of Nd3+ ions, the size, shape, and aggregation level of the nanocrystals can be modified changing the thermometric parameters of the luminescent thermometer. The highest relative sensitivity was obtained for the low RE3+:(PO4)3- ratio and 1% Nd3+ ion concentration.

Expanding the toolbox of photon upconversion for emerging frontier applications

Photon upconversion in lanthanide-based materials has recently shown compelling advantages in a wide range of fields due to their exceptional anti-Stokes luminescence performances and physicochemical properties. In particular, the latest breakthroughs in the optical manipulation of photon upconversion, such as the precise tuning of switchable emission profiles and lifetimes, open up new opportunities for diverse frontier applications from biological imaging to therapy, nanophotonics and three-dimensional displays. A summary and discussion on the recent progress can provide new insights into the fundamental understanding of luminescence mechanisms and also help to inspire new upconversion concepts and promote their frontier applications. Herein, we present a review on the state-of-the-art progress of lanthanide-based upconversion materials, focusing on the newly emerging approaches to the smart control of upconversion in aspects of light intensity, colors, and lifetimes, as well as new concepts. The emerging scientific and technological discoveries based on the well-designed upconversion materials are highlighted and discussed, along with the challenges and future perspectives. This review will contribute to the understanding of the fundamental research of photon upconversion and further promote the development of new classes of efficient upconversion materials towards diversities of frontier applications in the future.

Fast wide-field upconversion luminescence lifetime thermometry enabled by single-shot compressed ultrahigh-speed imaging

Photoluminescence lifetime imaging of upconverting nanoparticles is increasingly featured in recent progress in optical thermometry. Despite remarkable advances in photoluminescent temperature indicators, existing optical instruments lack the ability of wide-field photoluminescence lifetime imaging in real time, thus falling short in dynamic temperature mapping. Here, we report video-rate upconversion temperature sensing in wide field using single-shot photoluminescence lifetime imaging thermometry (SPLIT). Developed from a compressed-sensing ultrahigh-speed imaging paradigm, SPLIT first records wide-field luminescence intensity decay compressively in two views in a single exposure. Then, an algorithm, built upon the plug-and-play alternating direction method of multipliers, is used to reconstruct the video, from which the extracted lifetime distribution is converted to a temperature map. Using the core/shell NaGdF4:Er3+,Yb3+/NaGdF4 upconverting nanoparticles as the lifetime-based temperature indicators, we apply SPLIT in longitudinal wide-field temperature monitoring beneath a thin scattering medium. SPLIT also enables video-rate temperature mapping of a moving biological sample at single-cell resolution.