Realizing improved performance of down-conversion white organic light-emitting diodes by localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag nanoparticles

Down-conversion structure white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs), in which white light is generated by a blue emission organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) in combination with a color conversion layer (CCL) outside the substrate, has attracted extensive interest due to its significant advantages in low cost and stabilized white-light emissions. However, low color-conversion efficiency of CCL is still a bottleneck for the performance improvement of down-conversion WOLEDs. Here, we demonstrate an approach to enhance the color-conversion efficiency of CCL-WOLEDs by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect. In this approach, a blend of Ag nanoparticles and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is solution-deposited between the blue organic light emitting diodes and color-conversion layer. Based on the LSPR effect of this modified structure, the color conversion efficiency has improved 32%, from 45.4% to 60%, resulting a 14.4% enhancement of the current efficiency, from 9.73 cd/A to 11.14 cd/A. Our work provides a simple and low-cost way to enhance the performance of down-conversion WOLEDs, which highlights its potential in illumination applications.     

Surfactant‐Free Sub‐2 nm Ultrathin Triangular Gold Nanoframes

Ultrathin triangular gold nanoframes are synthesized in high yield through selective gold deposition on the edges of triangular silver nanoprisms and subsequent silver etching with mild wet etchants. These ultrathin gold nanoframes are surfactant‐free with tailorable ridge thickness from 1.8 to 6 nm and exhibit adjustable and distinct surface plasmon resonance bands in the visible and near‐IR region. In comparison, etching of the nanoprism template by galvanic replacement can only create frame structures with much thicker ridges, which have much lower catalytic activity for 4‐nitrophenol reduction than the ultrathin gold nanoframes.     

Luminescent properties of Cu+/Sn2+-activated aluminophosphate glass

A robust aluminophosphate glass matrix containing substantial amounts of Cu₂O and SnO has been prepared by the melt-quenching technique, and the luminescent properties have been assessed. The as-prepared material exhibits tunable luminescence by variation of excitation wavelength, in connection with the distinct excitation/emission properties of Cu⁺ ions and twofold-coordinated Sn centers in the host. Under excitation of both Cu⁺ and Sn species at 300 nm, the co-doped material exhibits a bright whitish luminescence, whereas excitation at 360 nm produces an intense orange emission arising merely from Cu⁺ ions. Thus, white light generation is deemed realizable by combination of cool-bluish emission intrinsic to Sn centers with the warm-orange emission from Cu⁺ ions. The optical properties of the material after heat treatment have been also investigated. Results indicate the chemical reduction of ionic copper via Sn²⁺ ultimately producing Cu nanoparticles as evidenced by the surface plasmon resonance. Consequently, the excitation-wavelength dependent photoluminescence bands appear suppressed in relation to Cu⁺ basically and show a dip attributed to light reabsorption by the plasmonic Cu particles.     

Plasmonic effect of silver nanoparticles on the upconversion emissions of Sm3+-doped sodium-borosilicate glass

The effect of the localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on optical absorption and photoluminescence of Sm³⁺-doped sodium borosilicate glass containing reduced silver nanoparticles (NPs) is reported (Ag⁺ → Ag⁰). The interaction of ultraviolet light by metallic NPs and its effect on the optical properties of samarium in proposed glass were investigated by absorption and photoluminescence spectra analysis. The existence of the NPs was pursued by transmission electron microscopy technique, revealing the existence of Ag NPs with average size of ∼8–14 nm. The largest enhancement was achieved for emission at 561 nm. Such improvements were attributed and discussed by enhanced electric field around metallic NPs and energy transfer (ET) between Sm³⁺ ions and silver NPs.     

GSP 插入LCOS 的可行性探讨

硅基液晶(LCOS)是最适合用于全息视频显示的空间光调制器之一,但是受限于小衍射角和低分辨率的特性,当前市场上的LCOS并不完全适用。近年来出现的超常表面(例如,间隙表面等离子体激元)具有独特的特性,提供了一种新的对光传播进行控制的方法。文中采用数值方法研究了在LCOS中插入超常表面结构,旨在解决小衍射角和低分辨率的问题。为了实用化,使用铝作为金属层、三氧化二铝层作为电介质层,生成GSP结构。首先,研究了铝在可见光频率的光学特性以及相应的法布里珀罗共振子模型。然后将初始GSP结构插入到LCOS中,得到液晶中的电场分布,进一步观察液晶中指向矢分布的变化。数值模拟的结果表明,所提出的结构对远场衍射光具有一定的影响,并且全息显示的视场角也发生一些改变。因此,这里提出的在LCOS装置中插入GSP的方案在技术上是可行的。     

Engineering Gold Nanotubes with Controlled Length and Near‐Infrared Absorption for Theranostic Applications

Important aspects in engineering gold nanoparticles for theranostic applications include the control of size, optical properties, cytotoxicity, biodistribution, and clearance. In this study, gold nanotubes with controlled length and tunable absorption in the near‐infrared (NIR) region have been exploited for applications as photothermal conversion agents and in vivo photoacoustic imaging contrast agents. A length‐controlled synthesis has been developed to fabricate gold nanotubes (NTs) with well‐defined shape (i.e., inner void and open ends), high crystallinity, and tunable NIR surface plasmon resonance. A coating of poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS) endows the nanotubes with colloidal stability and low cytotoxicity. The PSS‐coated Au NTs have the following characteristics: i) cellular uptake by colorectal cancer cells and macrophage cells, ii) photothermal ablation of cancer cells using single wavelength pulse laser irradiation, iii) excellent in vivo photoacoustic signal generation capability and accumulation at the tumor site, iv) hepatobiliary clearance within 72 h postintravenous injection. These results demonstrate that these PSS‐coated Au NTs have the ideal attributes to develop their potential as effective and safe in vivo imaging nanoprobes, photothermal conversion agents, and drug delivery vehicles. To the best of knowledge, this is the first in vitro and in vivo study of gold nanotubes.