Electrospinning preparation and properties of NaGdF4:Eu3+ nanowires

Eu³⁺ doped NaGdF₄ (NaGdF₄:Eu³⁺) nanocrystals in hexagonal crystal phase were prepared by a polyol method, and the size and morphology controllable NaGdF₄:Eu³⁺/PVP nano-composite fibers were obtained through the electrospinning technique, and then the NaGdF₄:Eu³⁺ nanowires were obtained by followed annealing. By changing the ratio of PVP to NaGdF₄ as well as the calcination temperature, the optimal conditions for synthesizing the NaGdF₄ nanowires were obtained, and the structural properties of the synthesized sample were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and field emission scanning electron micrographs (SEM) images. The luminescent properties of the NaGdF₄:Eu³⁺ nanocrystals and nanowires were also studied in this paper. We observed that the luminescent intensity of NaGdF₄:Eu³⁺ nanowires was greatly increased compared to the annealed NaGdF₄:Eu³⁺ nanocrystals at the same temperature.     

具有磁性-多色发光-热性能的MWCNTs负载NaGdF4:Tb3+,Eu3+多功能复合纳米材料

采用液相法成功制备了MWCNTs负载NaGdF₄:Tb³⁺,Eu³⁺纳米粒子的磁光热多功能复合纳米材料,并用XRD,SEM和EDS对其结构、组成和形貌进行了表征,结果表明:NaGdF₄:Tb³⁺,Eu³⁺纳米粒子为六方晶相,形貌为球形且尺寸分布均匀,直径大约为25 nm,并且均匀的包覆在MWCNTs的表面;通过PL,VSM和HTC对复合纳米材料的发光性能,磁性能和光热转换性能进行了表征,采用MTT法对多功能复合纳米材料的生物相容性进行了评估,结果表明:MWCNTs-NaGdF₄:Tb³⁺,Eu³⁺复合纳米材料具有良好的多色发光性能、磁性能、光热转换性能、低的毒性和良好的生物相容性。该种磁光热多功能复合纳米材料在生物标记、生物成像、肿瘤诊疗等领域有着广泛的应用前景。     

Strong upconversion–downshifting green emission from Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in core/shell/shell-structured nanophosphors

Efficient upconversion (UC)–downshifting (DS), dual-mode-emitting NaGdF₄:Yb,Tm/NaGdF₄:Tb/NaYF₄ core/shell/shell (C/S/S) nanophosphors (NPs) were synthesized. The UC luminescence color changed from blue to sky blue after doping Tb³⁺ into NaGdF₄ shell because Tb³⁺ emission peaks via ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J transition were observed with Tm³⁺ emission peaks via ¹D₂ → ³F₄ and ¹G₄ → ³H₆ transitions through the energy migration UC process of Yb³⁺ → Tm³⁺ → Gd³⁺ → Tb³⁺. Upon increasing the Tb³⁺ concentration in the NaGdF₄ shell from 5 to 15%, the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) color coordinates changed from (0.2188, 0.2390) to (0.2616, 0.3654). When NaGdF₄:Yb(49%),Tm(1%)/NaGdF₄:Tb(15%)/NaYF₄ NPs were excited using 273 nm ultraviolet light, the C/S/S NPs exhibited bright green light with CIE color coordinates of (0.3354, 0.5090) as a result of energy transfer from Gd³⁺ to Tb³⁺. These bright UC–DS, dual-mode-emitting C/S/S NPs could be applied in various applications, including multiplexed imaging and anticounterfeiting.     

Hydrophilic,Upconverting, Multicolor,Lanthanide‐Doped NaGdF4 Nanocrystals as Potential Multifunctional Bioprobes

Monodisperse water‐soluble hexagonal phase Ln³⁺‐doped NaGdF₄ upconverting nanocrystals (UCNCs) have been successfully fabricated by means of a fast, facile, and environmentally friendly microwave‐assisted route with polyethylenimine as the surfactant. Fine‐tuning of the UC emission from visible to near‐IR and finally to white light has been achieved. Furthermore, studies of the magnetic resonance imaging as well as the magnetization (magnetization–magnetic field curves) and the targeted recognition properties of FA‐coupled amine‐functionalized NaGdF₄@SiO₂ UCNCs indicate that the obtained NaGdF₄ UCNCs can be potential candidates for dual‐mode optical/magnetic bioapplications.     

Intrinsic Time‐Tunable Emissions in Core–Shell Upconverting Nanoparticle Systems

Color‐tunable luminescence has been extensively investigated in upconverting nanoparticles for diverse applications, each exploiting emissions in different spectral regions. Manipulation of the emission wavelength is accomplished by varying the composition of the luminescent material or the characteristics of the excitation source. Herein, we propose core–shell β‐NaGdF₄: Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺/β‐NaGdF₄: Tb³⁺ nanoparticles as intrinsic time‐tunable luminescent materials. The time dependency of the emission wavelength only depends on the different decay time of the two emitters, without additional variation of the dopant concentration or pumping source. The time‐tunable emission was recorded with a commercially available camera. The dynamics of the emissions is thoroughly investigated, and we established that the energy transfer from the ¹D₂ excited state of Tm³⁺ ions to the higher energy excited states of Tb³⁺ ions to be the principal mechanism to the population of the ⁵D₄ level for the Tb³⁺ ions.     

Filtration Shell Mediated Power Density Independent Orthogonal Excitations–Emissions Upconversion Luminescence

Lanthanide doped core–multishell structured NaGdF₄:Yb,Er@NaYF₄:Yb@NaGdF₄:Yb,Nd@NaYF₄@NaGdF₄:Yb,Tm@NaYF₄ nanoparticles with power‐density independent orthogonal excitations‐emissions upconversion luminescence (UCL) were fabricated for the first time. The optical properties of these core–multishell structured nanoparticles were related to the absorption filtration effect of the NaGdF₄:Yb,Tm layer. By tuning the thickness of the filtration layer, the nanoparticles can exhibit unique two independent groups of UCL: Tm³⁺ prominent UV/blue (UV=ultraviolet) UCL under the excitation at 980 nm and Er³⁺ prominent green/red UCL under the excitation at 796 nm. The filtration‐shell mediated orthogonal excitations‐emissions UCL are power‐density independent. As a proof of concept, the core–multishell nanoparticles are used in multi‐dimensional security design and imaging‐guided combined photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy.     

具有磁性-多色发光-热性能的MWCNTs负载NaGdF4:Tb3+,Eu3+多功能复合纳米材料

采用液相法成功制备了MWCNTs负载NaGdF_4∶Tb~(3+),Eu~(3+)纳米粒子的磁光热多功能复合纳米材料,并用XRD,SEM和EDS对其结构、组成和形貌进行了表征,结果表明:NaGdF_4∶Tb~(3+),Eu~(3+)纳米粒子为六方晶相,形貌为球形且尺寸分布均匀,直径大约为25 nm,并且均匀的包覆在MWCNTs的表面;通过PL,VSM和HTC对复合纳米材料的发光性能,磁性能和光热转换性能进行了表征,采用MTT法对多功能复合纳米材料的生物相容性进行了评估,结果表明:MWCNTs-NaGdF_4∶Tb~(3+),Eu~(3+)复合纳米材料具有良好的多色发光性能、磁性能、光热转换性能、低的毒性和良好的生物相容性。该种磁光热多功能复合纳米材料在生物标记、生物成像、肿瘤诊疗等领域有着广泛的应用前景。     

Inkjet printing lanthanide doped nanorods test paper for visual assays of nitroaromatic explosives

The facile and sensitive strategies for detections of nitroaromatic explosives are highly desirable in many challenging environments, especially for homeland security against terrorism. Here, we inkjet printed polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated Ce, Tb co-doped NaGdF₄ nanorods (NaGdF₄:Ce/Tb NRs) onto common filter paper to construct test paper for visual and instant detections of a typical explosive 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP). Polyethylenimine molecules not only facilitate the formation of uniform NaGdF₄ nanorods but also provide specific recognized sites for TNP by the acid–base pairing interaction. The resultant TNP bound at the surface of PEI-coated NaGdF₄:Ce/Tb NRs can strongly quench the phosphorescence with a remarkably high quenching constant by the charge transfer mechanism from NaGdF₄:Ce/Tb NRs to TNP. By printing of the probe on a piece of filter paper, trace amounts of TNP can be visually detected by the appearance of a dark color against a bright green background under a UV lamp. This test paper can detect TNP as low as 0.45 ng mm⁻² by the naked eye, which provides a potential application in the rapid, on-line detections of explosives.     

Impact of High Ytterbium(III) Concentration in the Shell on Upconversion Luminescence of Core–Shell Nanocrystals

After coating 20 Yb/2 Er:NaGdF₄ core nanocrystals with a NaYbF₄ shell, upconversion emission of the rare earth ions weakens. So far, the exact reason for this phenomenon is still unclear due to lack of the direct evidence. In this report, a core@shell@shell sandwich‐like structure is designed and fabricated to investigate this phenomenon. We find that high Yb³⁺ concentration in the shell has mainly two adverse impacts: it promotes not only the deleterious back energy transfer from Er³⁺ in the core to Yb³⁺ in the shell but also the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ in the core to Yb³⁺ in the shell. To obtain nanocrystals with high upconversion efficency, appropriate Yb³⁺ concentration should be introduced into the shell or the transition layer.     

Constructing Interfacial Energy Transfer for Photon Up‐ and Down‐Conversion from Lanthanides in a Core–Shell Nanostructure

We report a new mechanistic strategy for controlling and modifying the photon emission of lanthanides in a core–shell nanostructure by using interfacial energy transfer. By taking advantage of this mechanism with Gd³⁺ as the energy donor, we have realized efficient up‐ and down‐converted emissions from a series of lanthanide emitters (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, and Sm³⁺) in these core–shell nanoparticles, which do not need a migratory host sublattice. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the Gd³⁺‐mediated interfacial energy transfer, in contrast to energy migration, is the leading process contributing to the photon emission of lanthanide dopants for the NaGdF₄@NaGdF₄ core–shell system. Our finding suggests a new direction for research into better control of energy transfer at the nanometer length scale, which would help to stimulate new concepts for designing and improving photon emission of the lanthanide‐based luminescent materials.     

Direct Synthesis of Hexagonal NaGdF4 Nanocrystals from a Single‐Source Precursor: Upconverting NaGdF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ and Its Composites with TiO2 for Near‐IR‐Driven Photocatalysis

A novel single‐source precursor NaGd(TFA)₄(diglyme) (TFA=trifluoroacetate) was synthesized, characterized thoroughly, and used to obtain the hexagonal phase of NaGdF₄ nanoparticles as an efficient matrix for lanthanide‐doped upconverting nanocrystals (NCs) that convert near‐infrared radiation into shorter‐wavelength UV/visible light. These NCs were then used to prepare well‐characterized TiO₂@NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺ nanocomposites to extend the absorption range of the TiO₂ photocatalyst from the UV to the IR region. While the visible/near IR part of the photoluminescent spectra remains almost unaffected by the presence of TiO₂, the UV part is strongly quenched due to the absorption of TiO₂ above its gap at approximately 380 nm by energy transfer or FRET. Preliminary results on the photocatalytic activity of the above obtained nanocomposites are presented.     

A pH-response multifunctional nanoplatform based on NaGdF4:Yb,Er,Fe@Ce6@mSiO2-DOX for synergistic photodynamic/chemotherapy of cancer cells

Cancer is one of the major diseases that seriously threaten human health. Drug delivery nanoplatforms for tumor treatment have attracted increasing attention owing to their unique advantages such as good specificity and few side effects. This study aimed to fabricate a pH-responsive drug release multifunctional nanoplatform NaGdF₄:Yb,Er,Fe@Ce6@mSiO₂-DOX. In the platform, Fe³⁺ doping enhanced the fluorescence intensity of NaGdF₄:Yb, Er by 5.8 folds, and the mSiO₂ shell substantially increased the specific surface area of nanomaterials (559.257 m²/g). The loading rates of chlorin e6 and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) on NaGdF₄:Yb,Er,Fe@Ce6@mSiO₂-DOX reached 28.58 ± 0.85% and 87.53 ± 5.53%, respectively. Additionally, the DOX release rate from the nanoplatform was only 24.4% after 72 h at pH 7.4. However, under tumor microenvironment conditions (pH 5.0), the release rate of DOX increased to 85.3% after 72 h. The nanoplatform could generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under 980 nm near-infrared excitation. Moreover, the nanoplatform exhibited a strong comprehensive killing efficiency against cancer cells. The viabilities of HeLa, MCF-7, and HepG2 cancer cells were only 18.5, 11.4, and 9.3%, respectively, after being treated with a combination of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy. The constructed nanoplatform exhibits great application potential in cancer treatment.     

Ultraviolet 5H3 and visible 5DJ luminescence of europium(III)co-doped with cerium (III) in hexagonal NaGdF4

The luminescence of NaGdF₄:Ce,Eu has been investigated. After excitation of Ce³⁺ ions at room temperature, energy transfer to the Gd³⁺ions occurs, followed by migration over this sublattice to the Eu³⁺ions, resulting mainly in Eu³⁺ emission. At liquidhelium temperatures mainly Gd³⁺⁶P trap emission is observed. The Eu³⁺ emission in this system is remarkable, because ultraviolet Eu³⁺ emission (⁵H₃-⁷F_J) is observed alongside the normal ⁵D_J emission in the visible region.     

Energy Migration Upconversion in Manganese(II)‐Doped Nanoparticles

We report the synthesis and characterization of cubic NaGdF₄:Yb/Tm@NaGdF₄:Mn core–shell structures. By taking advantage of energy transfer through Yb→Tm→Gd→Mn in these core–shell nanoparticles, we have realized upconversion emission of Mn²⁺ at room temperature in lanthanide tetrafluoride based host lattices. The upconverted Mn²⁺emission, enabled by trapping the excitation energy through a Gd³⁺ lattice, was validated by the observation of a decreased lifetime from 941 to 532 μs in the emission of Gd³⁺ at 310 nm (⁶P_7/2→⁸S_7/2). This multiphoton upconversion process can be further enhanced under pulsed laser excitation at high power densities. Both experimental and theoretical studies provide evidence for Mn²⁺ doping in the lanthanide‐based host lattice arising from the formation of F^? vacancies around Mn²⁺ ions to maintain charge neutrality in the shell layer.     

Multifunctional Core–Shell Upconverting Nanoparticles for Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy of Liver Cancer Cells

Lanthanide‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable attention for their application in biomedicine. Here, silica‐coated NaGdF₄:Yb,Er/NaGdF₄ nanoparticles with a tetrasubstituted carboxy aluminum phthalocyanine (AlC₄Pc) photosensitizer covalently incorporated inside the silica shells were prepared and applied in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cancer cells. These UCNP@SiO₂(AlC₄Pc) nanoparticles were uniform in size, stable against photosensitizer leaching, and highly efficient in photogenerating cytotoxic singlet oxygen under near‐infrared (NIR) light. In vitro studies indicated that these nanoparticles could effectively kill cancer cells upon NIR irradiation. Moreover, the nanoparticles also demonstrated good MR contrast, both in aqueous solution and inside cells. This is the first time that NaGdF₄:Yb,Er/NaGdF₄ upconversion‐nanocrystal‐based multifunctional nanomaterials have been synthesized and applied in PDT. Our results show that these multifunctional nanoparticles are very promising for applications in versatile imaging diagnosis and as a therapy tool in biomedical engineering.     

Highly Sensitive Upconverting Nanoplatform for Luminescent Thermometry from Ambient to Cryogenic Temperature

Precise assessment of temperature is crucial in many physical, technological, and biological applications where optical thermometry has attracted considerable attention primarily due to fast response, contactless measurement route, and electromagnetic passivity. Rare-earth-doped thermographic phosphors that rely on ratiometric sensing are very efficient near and above room temperature. However, being dependent on the thermally-assisted migration of carriers to higher excited states, they are largely limited by the quenching of the activation mechanism at low temperatures. In this paper, we demonstrate a strategy to pass through this bottleneck by designing a linear colorimetric thermometer by which we could estimate down to 4 K. The change in perceptual color fidelity metric provides an accurate measure for the sensitivity of the thermometer that attains a maximum value of 0.86 K⁻¹. Thermally coupled states in Er³⁺ are also used as a ratiometric sensor from room temperature to ∼140 K. The results obtained in this work clearly show that Yb³⁺−Er³⁺ co-doped NaGdF₄ microcrystals are a promising system that enables reliable bimodal thermometry in a very wide temperature range from ultralow (4 K) to ambient (290 K) conditions.     

Rare‐Earth‐Based Nanoparticles with Simultaneously Enhanced Near‐Infrared (NIR)‐Visible (Vis) and NIR‐NIR Dual‐Conversion Luminescence for Multimodal Imaging

Multifunctional NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Nd³⁺@NaGdF₄:Nd³⁺ core–shell nanoparticles (called Gd:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Nd³⁺@Gd:Nd³⁺ NPs) with simultaneously enhanced near‐infrared (NIR)‐visible (Vis) and NIR‐NIR dual‐conversion (up and down) luminescence (UCL/DCL) properties were successfully synthesized. The resulting core–shell NPs simultaneously emitted enhanced UCL at 522, 540, and 660 nm and DCL at 980 and 1060 nm under the excitation of a 793 nm laser. The enhanced UCL and DCL can be explained by complex energy‐transfer processes, Nd³⁺→Yb³⁺→Er³⁺ and Nd³⁺→Yb³⁺, respectively. The effects of Nd³⁺ concentration and shell thickness on the UCL/DCL properties were systematically investigated. The UCL and DCL properties of NPs were observed under the optimal conditions: a shell Nd³⁺ content of 20 % and a shell thickness of approximately 5 nm. Moreover, the Gd:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Nd³⁺@Gd:20 % Nd³⁺ NPs exhibited remarkable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties similar to that of a clinical agent, Omniscan. Thus, the core–shell NPs with excellent UCL/DCL/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties have great potential for both in vitro and in vivo multimodal bioimaging.     

Phase‐ and Size‐Controllable Synthesis of Hexagonal Upconversion Rare‐Earth Fluoride Nanocrystals through an Oleic Acid/Ionic Liquid Two‐Phase System

Herein, we introduce a facile, user‐ and environmentally friendly (n‐octanol‐induced) oleic acid (OA)/ionic liquid (IL) two‐phase system for the phase‐ and size‐controllable synthesis of water‐soluble hexagonal rare earth (RE=La, Gd, and Y) fluoride nanocrystals with uniform morphologies (mainly spheres and elongated particles) and small sizes (<50 nm). The unique role of the IL 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF₆) and n‐octanol in modulating the phase structure and particle size are discussed in detail. More importantly, the mechanism of the (n‐octanol‐induced) OA/IL two‐phase system, the formation of the RE fluoride nanocrystals, and the distinctive size‐ and morphology‐controlling capacity of the system are presented. BmimPF₆ is versatile in term of crystal‐phase manipulation, size and shape maintenance, and providing water solubility in a one‐step reaction. The luminescent properties of Er³⁺‐, Ho³⁺‐, and Tm³⁺‐doped LaF₃, NaGdF₄, and NaYF₄ nanocrystals were also studied. It is worth noting that the as‐prepared products can be directly dispersed in water due to the hydrophilic property of Bmim⁺ (cationic part of the IL) as a capping agent. This advantageous feature has made the IL‐capped products favorable in facile surface modifications, such as the classic Stober method. Finally, the cytotoxicity evaluation of NaYF₄:Yb,Er nanocrystals before and after silica coating was conducted for further biological applications.     

室温下合成纺锤形貌六方相NaLnF_4(Ln=Nd,Sm,Eu,Gd,Tb)纳米颗粒

室温下合成长250nm,宽100nm的纺锤形貌六方相的NaNdF4。NaEuF4,NaSmF4,NaGdF4和NaTbF4也用同样的方法获得。产物用XRD,TEM,HRTEM,FESEM和PL进行表征。PL光谱显示合成的NaEuF4的激发波长是394nm。NaEuF4有4个特征发射谱带,分别是591,615,650和681nm。     

Characterization and properties of Eu3+-doped CdWO4 prepared by a hydrothermal method

Eu³⁺-doped CdWO₄ was prepared for the first time by a hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology, and luminescence of the Eu³⁺-doped CdWO₄ were characterized. TEM results revealed that the pure CdWO₄ was a nanorod with a width of about 50 nm. The photoluminescent properties of Eu³⁺-doped CdWO₄ complexes indicated energy transfer from WO₄ ^2? groups to Eu³⁺ and suggested effective doping of Eu³⁺ into the lattice of CdWO₄. The photocatalytic activity of CdWO₄ and Eu³⁺-doped CdWO₄ was investigated by the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO). Eu³⁺-doped CdWO₄ had enhanced photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of MO. The hydroxyl radical was detected by the terephthalic acid photoluminescence (TA-PL) method, and the regular change revealed that the hydroxyl radical may be the active species.