Dual excitable upconversion nanoparticle@polydopamine nanocomposite with intense red emission and efficient photothermal generation

Integration of strong upconversion emission with deep tissue penetration and stable photothermal generation is of great significance for imaging-guided photothermal therapy under infrared excitation.Herein,the NaYF4:Yb³⁺,Ho³⁺,Ce³⁺ @NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺,Nd³⁺@NaGdF₄ core-shell-shell upconversion nanoparticles(UCNPs) with increasing Ce³⁺ doping concentration were firstly synthesized,in which the size manipulation,enhance...     

Emission colour tuning in KLnF4:Yb3+,Er3+/Ho3+ phosphor

KLnF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺/Ho³⁺(Ln=Y,Yb,Gd) phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction technique.For each of the Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ co-doped phosphors independently,phase confirmation and morphological examination were accomplished using the X-ray diffraction technique and scanning electron microscope analysis.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows the charge state and existence of lanthanides and dop...     

Facile synthesis of Er3+/Tm3+co-doped magnetic/luminescent nanosystems for possible bioimaging and therapy applications

Manganese-zinc ferrite is a kind of very important magnetic ferrite material.The properties of wide absorption band,sensitivity to ultraviolet(UV)light and tumor H₂O₂ promise it to be possibly used as a photothermal therapy(PTT),photodynamic therapy(PDT)and chemodynamic therapy(CDT)agent.Based on the unique advantages of rare-earth doped nanoparticles,an Er³⁺,Tm³⁺co-doped upconversion-mediated nanosystem with manganese-zinc ferrite shell(named as UCNPS@M)was developed through a facile thermal co-decomposition method.The final nanosystems were surface-modified by using dopamine hydrochloride(DA)in order to warrant good biocompatibility(named as UCNPS@M@DA).Under irradiation of near-infrared(NIR)light,UCNPS emit both ultraviolet and visible light.The UV light is mostly abso rbed by manga nese-zinc ferrite shell to produce reactive oxygen species(ROS),which is essential to the potential PDT and CDT effect of nanosystems,and at the same time,Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe2O₄ can further react with H₂O₂ to promote the efficiency of OH-generation.It is expected that UCNPS@M@DA can act as upconversion luminescence imaging guidance due to the visible emission from UCNPS.In addition,the energy absorbed by the nanosystems can be transferred to heat to realize photothermal effect.Moreover,UCNPS@M@DA was successfully applied as a T₁/T₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)contrast agent due to the existence of Gd,Mn,and Fe elements.In light of the upconversion luminescence(UCL)imaging from the UCNPS as well as potential PTT,PDT,CDT effect mentioned above,this work provides a possibility to realize cancer multi-model bioimaging guided treatment by using an all-in-one diagnosis and therapy nanosystem through a simple yet powerful strategy.     

Flexible double narrowband near-infrared photodetector based on PMMA/core-shell upconversion nanoparticle composites

Flexible narrowband near infrared(NIR)photodetectors(PDs)are urgently in demand in the fastdeveloping era of flexible electronics,due to their crucial roles in various innovative applications.Hence,we designed and synthesized the core-shell structured NaYF4:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺@NaYF4:Nd³⁺upconversion nanoparticles(UCNPs),which can be pumped by the 808 and 980 nm lights.The upconversion luminescence(UCL)are significantly enhanced after being assembled with the opal photonic crystals(OPCs)due to the photonic crystal effect,with 55 and 48 folds of enhancement factors under illuminations of 808 and 980 nm lights,respectively.Based on this hybrid,the flexible narrowband PDs were successfully fabricated on the PET substrate with the structure of OPCs/NaYF4:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺@Nd³⁺/MAPbl3,which displays excellent detection performance to double narrowband NIR light(808 and 980 nm)benefiting from the amplified UCL,with responsivity of 8.79 and 7.39 A/W,detectivity of 3.01×10¹¹and2.68×10¹¹cm·Hz^1/2/W for 808 and 980 nm lights detection respectively,along with short response time in the range of 120-160 ms.Furthermore,the OPCs/NaYF4:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺@NaYF4:Nd³⁺/MAPbI3 double narrowband PDs display low photodetection power threshold(0.05 W/cm2),outstanding flexibility,prominent moisture resistance,and good long-time stability.This work displays a new concept of narrowband NIR PDs,which open a new field for specific NIR light detections.     

Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer of Nd3+/Ho3+-doped Ga2O3-GeO2 glass by codoping Yb3+ ion

This study presented the luminescence properties of Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ dopant ions inside a host based on Ga₂O₃-GeO₂-Li₂O（GGL） glass. The measured differential scanning calorimetry result showed that GGL glass exhibited excellent stability against devitrification with ?T=135 oC. Obvious 543 and 657 nm emissions were observed in Nd³⁺/Ho³⁺-codoped sample. The incorporation of Yb³⁺ into Nd³⁺/Ho³⁺-codoped glass system had resulted in enhanced upconversion emission intensity under the excitation of 808 nm and/or 980 nm laser diode（LD）. The possible mechanisms and related discussions on this phenomenon were presented. It was noted that the presence of Yb³⁺ yielded an enhancement about 7 and 11 times in the 543 and 657 nm emission intensities respectively under 808 nm excitation due to the energy transfer from Nd³⁺ to Ho³⁺ via Yb³⁺ ion. Here Yb³⁺ played a major role as a bridging ion. While enhanced 543 and 657 nm emission intensities under the excitation of 980 nm LD originated from the sensitization effect of Yb³⁺. Our results showed that Nd³⁺/Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ triply doped GGL glass might be a promising candidate for the development of visible-laser materials.     

Suppression of inner energy dissipation in Yb-doped NaErF4 upconversion nanocrystals through an energy cycling strategy

Suppression of the inner energy dissipation,related to the lattice phonons and inner defects,in lanthanide doped upco nversion luminescent materials remains a formidable challenge.Herein,we reveal an energy cycling strategy capable of suppressing the inner energy dissipation in lanthanide doped upconversion nanocrystals.Yb³⁺ ions were introduced in Er³⁺ heavily doped nanocrystals as an energy reservoir to compete with the inner energy dissipation.The detailed energy cycling...     

A smart nanoprobe based on luminescent terbium metal-organic framework coated gold nanorods for monitoring and photo-stimulated combined thermal-chemotherapy

Real-time monitoring and accurate treatment are of great significance for reducing the side effects during the cancer therapy.In this work,we rationally prepared a smart nanoprobe based on core-shell terbium metal-organic gramework(MOF) with highly effective photothermal conversion capacity and drug release efficiency under near-infrared light irradiation for real-time fluorescence imaging-guided multimodal therapy.The nanoprobe can achieve prominent photothermal therapy and controllable drug re...     

White up-conversion luminescence and highly-sensitive optical temperature sensing in Na3La(VO4)2:Yb,Er,Tm,Ho phosphors

In this work,tunable white up-conversion luminescence was achieved in the Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Tm³⁺,Ho³⁺ codoped Na₃La(VO₄)₂ phosphors under 980 nm excitation.The emissions of three primary colors are mainly attributed to the ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺,¹G₄→³H₆ transition of Tm³⁺,and_5...     

Er~(3+)-Yb~(3+)-Na~+:ZnWO_4 phosphors for enhanced visible upconversion and temperature sensing applications

The crystal structure and surface morphology of the Er³⁺/Yb³⁺/Na+:ZnWO₄ phosphors synthesized by solid state reaction method were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) analysis.The frequency upconversion(UC) emission study in the developed phosphors was investigated by using 980 nm laser diode excitation.The effect of codoping in the Er³⁺:ZnWO₄ phosphors on the UC emission intensity was studied.The UC emission bands that are exhibited in the blue(490 nm),green(530,552 nm),red(668 nm) and NIR(800 nm) region correspond to the ⁴F_7/2→⁴I_15/2.²H_11/2,⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2,⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions,respectively.The temperature sensing performance of the Er³⁺-Yb³⁺-Na+:ZnWO₄ phosphors was investigated based on the 2 H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 thermally coupled transitions of the Er³⁺ions.The photometric study was also carried out for the developed phosphors.     

Broadening and enhancing emission of Cr3+ simultaneously by co-doping Yb3+ in Ga1.4ln0.6SnO5

Cr³⁺ doped broadband near-infrared(NIR) emitting phosphors are currently the focus of research.Researchers have developed a variety of strategies to achieve broad and strong NIR emission,However,it is a conundrum to simultaneously broaden and enhance the emission of Cr³⁺with a single strategy,In this work,we solved this problem by co-doping Yb³⁺.Under 452 nm excitation,Ga_1.4In_0.6SnO₅(GISO):0.01Cr³⁺shows ultrabroadband N...     

Y4GeO8:Er3+,Yb3+ up-conversion phosphors for optical temperature sensor based on FIR technique

Herein, we reported novel Y₄GeO₈:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ phosphors elaborated via conventional solid-state reaction, and we further explored their properties as optical thermometer by using fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) method complemented by detailed analysis on crystal structure, up-conversion luminescence and energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺. Upon 980 nm laser excitation, Y₄GeO₈:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ phosphors present 525, 547 and 659 nm emission bands assigned to the characteristic transitions of Er³⁺. Furthermore, Y₄GeO₈:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ samples show outstanding temperature sensing performances. To be specific, the minimal temperature resolution is 0.03 K (303 K), and the relative sensitivity of FIR can be up to 1.152%/K (303 K). Hence, Y₄GeO₈:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ phosphors can be possible candidates for thermometry devices.     

Improving luminescence and thermometric performance of Ba2CaWO6:Er3+ by tri-doping with Yb3+ and Na+

The Er³⁺doped double perovskite Ba₂ CaWO₆ crystal is a promising ratiometric thermometer based on the fluorescence intensity ratio(FIR) of transitions from ² H_11/2 and ⁴ S_3/2to the lowered ⁴ I_15/2 level.However,the Ca²⁺vacancy defect caused by the charge difference between rare-earth ions and the substituted alkaline-earth ions gives rise to the non-radiative probability and limits the t...     

Energy transfer and cross-relaxation induced multicolor upconversion emissions in Er~(3+)/Tm~(3+)/Yb~(3+) doped double perovskite La_2ZnTiO_6 phosphors

Investigation on the bright and stable upconversion(UC) phosphors with multicolor emissions is fundamental and significant for the frontier applications of display and tempe rature probe.He re,dive rse emitting colors with blue,cyan and yellowish green,which are caused by the energy transfer and crossrelaxation processes,are obtained by altering Er~(3+),Tm~(3+)and Yb~(3+) concentrations in Er~(3+)singly,Er~(3+)-Tm~(3+)-Yb~(3+)co-and tri-doped double perovskite La_2 ZnTiO_6(LZT) phosphors synthesized by a simple solid-state reaction.In addition,excellent infrared emission at 801 nm located at "first biological windo w" is collected in Tm~(3+)-Yb~(3+)co-doped phosphors.Meanwhile,the temperature sensing properties based on the thermally coupled levels(~2 H_(11/2)/~4S_(3/2)) of Er~(3+) ions were analyzed from 298 to 573 K of LZT:0.15 Er~(3+)/0.10 Yb~(3+)phosphor,demonstrating that the maximal sensitivity value is about56×10-4 K~(1-) at 448 K.All these results imply that this kind of UC material has potential applications in display,bioimaging and optical device.     

Synthesis of well oil-dispersible BaYF5:Yb3+/Er3+ nanocrystals with green upconversion fluorescence

Nearly monodisperse, regular-shaped and well oil-dispersible tetragonal BaYF₅:0.2Yb³⁺/0.02Er³⁺ nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized in water-ethanol-oleic acid-sodium oleate system. The as-obtained NCs exhibited bright upconversion (UC) fluorescence under the 980 nm excitation. Blue (²H_9/2-⁴I_15/2), green ((²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2)-⁴I_15/2) and red (⁴F_9/2-⁴I_15/2) transitions were observed. The results indicated that the relative intensity of green to red increased gradually with increasing power density, which were seldom in the previous work. Therefore, the UC properties and mechanism were studied in detail.     

Synthesis,upconversion luminescence and optical heating of hexagonal NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+

An optical heater based on hexagonal NaGdF_4:Yb~(3+)/Er~(3+) is reported. XRD, SEM and EDS characterization results show that F~-/Ln~(3+) can not only control the phase composition, particle size and morphology, but also affect the effective doping concentration of Yb~(3+) and Er~(3+).When F~-/Ln~(3+) is 12/1, the strongest upconversion luminescence is obtained. Based on the luminescent temperature sensing behavior of Er~(3+),the photo-thermal conversion performance was investigated. The results indicate that the temperature of irradiation spot is linearly dependent on the power density, and the photo-thermal responsivity is determined to be 3.3K·cm~2/W. Also, it is found that the photo-thermal conversion efficiency can be regulated by changing the Yb~(3+) doping concentration. Compared with the nano-gold, copper sulfide and carbon nanotubes, the NaGdF_4:Yb~(3+)/Er~(3+) has the triple functions of upconversion luminescence, temperature sensing, and photo-thermal conversion, and may therefore be a promising optical heater for photo-thermal therapy of tumors.     

Up-conversion luminescence of Er~（3＋）-doped and Yb~（3＋）/Er~（3＋） co-doped 12CaO·7Al_2O_3 poly-crystals

The optical properties of Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped 12CaO·7Al2O3 (C12A7) poly-crystals, synthesized by high temperature solid state method, were investigated in detail. For Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped C12A7 poly-crystals, two main emission bands centered around 530/550 nm (green) and 660 nm (red) were observed under 980 nm diode laser excitation via an up-conversion process. The intensity of green up-conversion emission had a strong increase in Er3+ (1.0 mol.%, 1.5 mol.%, 3.0 mol.%), and the intensity ratio of red to green up-conversion emission had an increase in Yb3+ (1.0 mol.%, 2.0 mol.%, 10. 0 mol.%)/Er3+ (fixed at 1.0 mol.%). This detailed study of the up-conversion processes allowed us to identify the dominant up-conversion mechanisms in Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped C12A7 poly-crystals.     

Upconversion luminescence of KGd（MoO_4）_2：Er~（3＋）,Yb~（3＋） powder prepared by Pechini method

Er3+ doped potassium gadolinium molybdate (KGM) phosphor with sensitizer Yb3+ ion was synthesized by the Pechini method using citric acid and ethylene glycol. The crystallization processes of the phosphor precursors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), which indicated that ultrafine uniform crystallites of KGM:Er,Yb were obtained by sintering the precursors at above 650 ℃ for 5 h. Upconversion luminescence (UL) spectra of the samples ...     

Preparation and luminescent properties of CaF2:Ln3+ (Ln:Er,Er/Yb)/Nafion composite films

In this work, CaF_2:Ln~(3+)(Ln:Er,Er/Yb)/Nafion composite films were prepared using Nafion as modifications and matrices by dripping method. The composite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Composite films are transparent and CaF_2:Ln~(3+)(Ln:Er,Er/Yb) nanoparticles are well dispersed in Nafion films.The thicknesses of CaF_2:Er~(3+)/Nafion and CaF_2:Er~(3+),Yb~(3+)/Nafion composite film are about 77 and 73 μm,respectively. The nanoparticles in composite film possess cubic phase. CaF_2:Er~(3+),Yb~(3+)/Nafion composite film has stronger characteristic emission of Er~(3+) around 1530 nm with full width at half-maximum(FWHM) of 73 nm and longer luminescence lifetimes of 22.04 μs(25.03%) and 100.77 μs(74.97%).     

Intense upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped oxyfluoride borosilicate glass ceramics containing Ba2GdF7 nanocrystals

Er3+/Yb3+-codoped transparent oxyfluoride borosilicate glass ceramics containing Ba2GdF7 nanocrystals were prepared and spectroscopic properties of rare earth ions were investigated.Fluoride nanocrystals Ba2GdF7 were successfully precipitated in glass matrix,which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction(XRD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)results.In comparison with the as-made precursor,significant enhancement ofupconversion luminescence was observed in the Er3+/Yb3+codoped oxyfluoride glass ceramics,which may be due to the variation of coordination environment around Er3+and Yb3+ions after crystallization.The transition mechanisms of the green and red upconversion luminescence were ascribed to a two-photon process,and that of the blue upconversion luminescence was a three-photon process.