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Alzahrani YA, Alessa AM, Almosaind MK, Alarifi RS, Alromaeh A, Alkahtani M. Preparation and Characterization of Uniform and Controlled Silica Encapsulating on Lithium Yttrium Fluoride-Based Upconversion Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:685. [PMID: 38668180 PMCID: PMC11054348 DOI: 10.3390/nano14080685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
In this work, we present an advancement in the encapsulation of lithium yttrium fluoride-based (YLiF4:Yb,Er) upconversion nanocrystals (UCNPs) with silica (SiO2) shells through a reverse microemulsion technique, achieving UCNPs@SiO2 core/shell structures. Key parameters of this approach were optimized to eliminate the occurrence of core-free silica particles and ensure a controlled silica shell thickness growth on the UCNPs. The optimal conditions for this method were using 6 mg of UCNPs, 1.5 mL of Igepal CO-520, 0.25 mL of ammonia, and 50 μL of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), resulting in a uniform silica shell around UCNPs with a thickness of 8 nm. The optical characteristics of the silica-encased UCNPs were examined, confirming the retention of their intrinsic upconversion luminescence (UC). Furthermore, we developed a reliable strategy to avoid the coencapsulation of multiple UCNPs within a single silica shell. This approach led to a tenfold increase in the UC luminescence of the annealed particles compared to their nonannealed counterparts, under identical silica shell thickness and excitation conditions. This significant improvement addresses a critical challenge and amplifies the applicability of the resulting UCNPs@SiO2 core/shell structures in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahya A. Alzahrani
- Future Energy Technologies Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (Y.A.A.); (M.K.A.); (R.S.A.)
| | - Abdulmalik M. Alessa
- Refining Technologies and Petrochemicals Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mona K. Almosaind
- Future Energy Technologies Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (Y.A.A.); (M.K.A.); (R.S.A.)
| | - Rahaf S. Alarifi
- Future Energy Technologies Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (Y.A.A.); (M.K.A.); (R.S.A.)
| | - Abdulaziz Alromaeh
- Microelectronics and Semiconductors Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Masfer Alkahtani
- Future Energy Technologies Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (Y.A.A.); (M.K.A.); (R.S.A.)
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Milićević B, Periša J, Ristić Z, Milenković K, Antić Ž, Smits K, Kemere M, Vitols K, Sarakovskis A, Dramićanin MD. Hydrothermal Synthesis and Properties of Yb 3+/Tm 3+ Doped Sr 2LaF 7 Upconversion Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 13:30. [PMID: 36615940 PMCID: PMC9823976 DOI: 10.3390/nano13010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We report the procedure for hydrothermal synthesis of ultrasmall Yb3+/Tm3+ co-doped Sr2LaF7 (SLF) upconversion phosphors. These phosphors were synthesized by varying the concentrations of Yb3+ (x = 10, 15, 20, and 25 mol%) and Tm3+ (y = 0.75, 1, 2, and 3 mol%) with the aim to analyze their emissions in the near IR spectral range. According to the detailed structural analysis, Yb3+ and Tm3+ occupy the La3+ sites in the SLF host. The addition of Yb3+/Tm3+ ions has a huge impact on the lattice constant, particle size, and PL emission properties of the synthesized SLF nanophosphor. The results show that the optimal dopant concentrations for upconversion luminescence of Yb3+/Tm3+ co-doped SLF are 20 mol% Yb3+ and 1 mol% Tm3+ with EDTA as the chelating agent. Under 980 nm light excitation, a strong upconversion emission of Tm3+ ions around 800 nm was achieved. In addition, the experimental photoluminescence lifetime of Tm3+ emission in the SLF host is reported. This study discovered that efficient near IR emission from ultrasmall Yb3+/Tm3+ co-doped SLF phosphors may have potential applications in the fields of fluorescent labels in bioimaging and security applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Milićević
- Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovana Periša
- Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zoran Ristić
- Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Milenković
- Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Željka Antić
- Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Krisjanis Smits
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga Street 8, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia
| | - Meldra Kemere
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga Street 8, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Vitols
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga Street 8, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia
| | - Anatolijs Sarakovskis
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga Street 8, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia
| | - Miroslav D. Dramićanin
- Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
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Electrodeposition of Lithium-Based Upconversion Nanoparticle Thin Films for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12122115. [PMID: 35745453 PMCID: PMC9230536 DOI: 10.3390/nano12122115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In this work, high-quality lithium-based, LiYF4=Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion (UC) thin film was electrodeposited on fluorene-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass for solar cell applications. A complete perovskite solar cell (PSC) was fabricated on top of the FTO glass coated with UC thin film and named (UC-PSC device). The fabricated UC-PSC device demonstrated a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.1%, an additional photocurrent, and a better fill factor (FF) of 76% in comparison to the pristine PSC device (PCE = ~16.57%; FF = 71%). Furthermore, the photovoltaic performance of the UC-PSC device was then tested under concentrated sunlight with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24% without cooling system complexity. The reported results open the door toward efficient PSCs for renewable and green energy applications.
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Li Y, Li Y. Dual-Mode nanoprobes for heart tissue imaging. Talanta 2022; 248:123641. [PMID: 35671546 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A new method that simultaneously alters multicolor upconversion luminescence (UCL) and improves overall UCL intensity, predominantly in red-emission bands, is presented here. Remarkedly enhanced temperature sensitivity at ultralow temperatures was also observed in Yb/Cu co-doped NaErF4 through transition metal Cu2+-doping. Varying the dopant (Cu2+) concentration in NaErF4:Yb effectively controlled the structure, allowing for blue, green, and red UCL output. Large enhancement across the entire UCL spectrum was observed for Cu2+-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) compared to UCNPs not doped with Cu2+, resulting from non-radiative energy transfer between Cu2+ and Er3+. The rapid response of the NaErF4:Yb/Cu complex allowed for bioimaging of heart tissue within 1 h. Moreover, the relative sensitivity of UCNPs increased from 0.91% K-1 to 1.48% K-1 with metal Cu2+ doping at an ultralow temperature, which significantly impacts biomarker dependence on UCNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuemei Li
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Yongmei Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital & Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University, No.6 Huanrui North Road, Ruijing Street, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
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Liposome-Encapsulated Tobramycin and IDR-1018 Peptide Mediated Biofilm Disruption and Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050960. [PMID: 35631547 PMCID: PMC9144307 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The inadequate eradication of pulmonary infections and chronic inflammation are significant complications in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, who usually suffer from persistent and frequent lung infections caused by several pathogens, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The ability of pathogenic microbes to protect themselves from biofilms leads to the development of an innate immune response and antibiotic resistance. In the present work, a reference bacterial strain of P. aeruginosa (PA01) and a multidrug-resistant isolate (MDR 7067) were used to explore the microbial susceptibility to three antibiotics (ceftazidime, imipenem, and tobramycin) and an anti-biofilm peptide (IDR-1018 peptide) using the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The most effective antibiotic was then encapsulated into liposomal nanoparticles and the IDR-1018 peptide with antibacterial activity, and the ability to disrupt the produced biofilm against PA01 and MDR 7067 was assessed. The MIC evaluation of the tobramycin antibacterial activity showed an insignificant effect on the liposomes loaded with tobramycin and liposomes encapsulating tobramycin and IDR-1018 against both P. aeruginosa strains to free tobramycin. Nevertheless, the biofilm formation was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at concentrations of ≥4 μg/mL and ≤32 μg/mL for PA01 and ≤32 μg/mL for MDR 7067 when loading tobramycin into liposomes, with or without the anti-biofilm peptide compared to the free antibiotic, empty liposomes, and IDR-1018-loaded liposomes. A tobramycin concentration of ≤256 µg/mL was safe when exposed to a lung carcinoma cell line upon its encapsulation into the liposomal formulation. Tobramycin-loaded liposomes could be a potential candidate for treating lung-infected animal models owing to the high therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of this system compared to the free administration of the antibiotic.
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Generation of Pure Green Up-Conversion Luminescence in Er3+ Doped and Yb3+-Er3+ Co-Doped YVO4 Nanomaterials under 785 and 975 nm Excitation. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12050799. [PMID: 35269286 PMCID: PMC8912327 DOI: 10.3390/nano12050799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Materials that generate pure, single-color emission are desirable in the development and manufacturing of modern optoelectronic devices. This work shows the possibility of generating pure, green up-conversion luminescence upon the excitation of Er3+-doped nanomaterials with a 785 nm NIR laser. The up-converting inorganic nanoluminophores YVO4: Er3+ and YVO4: Yb3+ and Er3+ were obtained using a hydrothermal method and subsequent calcination. The synthesized vanadate nanomaterials had a tetragonal structure and crystallized in the form of nearly spherical nanoparticles. Up-conversion emission spectra of the nanomaterials were measured using laser light sources with λex = 785 and 975 nm. Importantly, under the influence of the mentioned laser irradiation, the as-prepared samples exhibited bright green up-conversion luminescence that was visible to the naked eye. Depending on the dopant ions used and the selected excitation wavelengths, two (green) or three (green and red) bands originating from erbium ions appeared in the emission spectra. In this way, by changing the UC mechanisms, pure green luminescence of the material can be obtained. The proposed strategy, in combination with various single-doped UC nanomaterials activated with Er3+, might be beneficial for modern optoelectronics, such as light-emitting diodes with a rich color gamut for back-light display applications.
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Special Issue: Application of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12050726. [PMID: 35269214 PMCID: PMC8911894 DOI: 10.3390/nano12050726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials of different types-namely, inorganic-based, organic-based, carbon-based, and composite-based ones, with various structures such as nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanorods, nanoshells, and nanostars, all have demonstrated a wide range of medical biophysical and chemical properties [...].
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Alkahtani M, Almuqhim AA, Qasem H, Alsofyani N, Alfahd A, Alenzi SM, Aljuwayr A, Alzahrani YA, Al-Badri A, Alotaibi MH, Bagabas A, AlHazaa AN, Hemmer PR. Lithium-Based Upconversion Nanoparticles for High Performance Perovskite Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11112909. [PMID: 34835673 PMCID: PMC8623711 DOI: 10.3390/nano11112909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we report an easy, efficient method to synthesize high quality lithium-based upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) which combine two promising materials (UCNPs and lithium ions) known to enhance the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Incorporating the synthesized YLiF4:Yb,Er nanoparticles into the mesoporous layer of the PSCs cells, at a certain doping level, demonstrated a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19%, additional photocurrent, and a better fill factor (FF) of 82% in comparison to undoped PSCs (PCE = ~16.5%; FF = 71%). The reported results open a new avenue toward efficient PSCs for renewable energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masfer Alkahtani
- National Center for Renewable Energy, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (H.Q.); (N.A.); (A.A.); (A.A.)
- Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-553-322-891
| | - Anas Ali Almuqhim
- National Center for Renewable Energy, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (H.Q.); (N.A.); (A.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Hussam Qasem
- National Center for Renewable Energy, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (H.Q.); (N.A.); (A.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Najla Alsofyani
- National Center for Renewable Energy, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (H.Q.); (N.A.); (A.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Anfal Alfahd
- National Center for Renewable Energy, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (H.Q.); (N.A.); (A.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Sultan M. Alenzi
- National Center for Nanotechnology and Semiconductors, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (S.M.A.); (Y.A.A.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Abdulaziz Aljuwayr
- National Center for Renewable Energy, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (H.Q.); (N.A.); (A.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Yahya A. Alzahrani
- National Center for Nanotechnology and Semiconductors, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (S.M.A.); (Y.A.A.); (A.A.-B.)
- National Petrochemical Technology Center (NPTC), Materials Science Research Institute (MSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.H.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Abdurahman Al-Badri
- National Center for Nanotechnology and Semiconductors, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (S.M.A.); (Y.A.A.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Mohammad Hayal Alotaibi
- National Petrochemical Technology Center (NPTC), Materials Science Research Institute (MSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.H.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Abdulaziz Bagabas
- National Petrochemical Technology Center (NPTC), Materials Science Research Institute (MSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.H.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Abdulaziz N. AlHazaa
- Research Chair for Tribology, Surface, and Interface Sciences (TSIS), Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Philip R. Hemmer
- Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, Zavoisky Physical-Technical Institute, Sibirsky Tract, 10/7, 420029 Kazan, Russia
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