Photostable and Small YVO4:Yb,Er Upconversion Nanoparticles in Water
Masfer Alkahtani, Anfal Alfahd, Najla Alsofyani, Anas A. Almuqhim, Hussam Qassem, Abdullah A. Alshehri, Fahad A. Almughem, Philip Hemmer
Abstract
In this work, we report a simple method of silica coating of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to obtain well-crystalline particles that remain small and not agglomerated after high-temperature post-annealing, and produce bright visible emission when pumped with near-infrared light. This enables many interesting biological applications, including high-contrast and deep tissue imaging, quantum sensing and super-resolution microscopy. These VO4-based UNCPs are an attractive alternative to fluoride-based crystals for water-based biosensing applications.
Topics & Concepts
Photon upconversionMaterials scienceNanoparticleNanotechnologyAnnealing (glass)InfraredColloidal crystalMicroscopyOptoelectronicsColloidDopingChemical engineeringOpticsComposite materialEngineeringPhysicsLuminescence Properties of Advanced MaterialsPerovskite Materials and ApplicationsRadiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies