Bright Infrared-to-Ultraviolet/Visible Upconversion in Small Alkaline Earth-Based Nanoparticles with Biocompatible CaF2 Shells

Stefan Fischer, Chris Siefe*, Dayne F. Swearer, Claire A. McLellan, A. Paul Alivisatos, Jennifer A. Dionne*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are promising candidates for photon-driven reactions, including light-triggered drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and photocatalysis. Herein, we investigate the NIR-to-UV/visible emission of sub-15 nm alkaline-earth rare-earth fluoride UCNPs (M1−xLnxF2+x, MLnF) with a CaF2 shell. We synthesize 8 alkaline-earth host materials doped with Yb3+ and Tm3+, with alkaline-earth (M) spanning Ca, Sr, and Ba, MgSr, CaSr, CaBa, SrBa, and CaSrBa. We explore UCNP composition, size, and lanthanide doping-dependent emission, focusing on upconversion quantum yield (UCQY) and UV emission. UCQY values of 2.46 % at 250 W cm−2 are achieved with 14.5 nm SrLuF@CaF2 particles, with 7.3 % of total emission in the UV. In 10.9 nm SrYbF:1 %Tm3+@CaF2 particles, UV emission increased to 9.9 % with UCQY at 1.14 %. We demonstrate dye degradation under NIR illumination using SrYbF:1 %Tm3+@CaF2, highlighting the efficiency of these UCNPs and their ability to trigger photoprocesses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21603-21612
Number of pages10
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume59
Issue number48
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 23 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • alkaline earth metals
  • lanthanides
  • nanoparticles
  • photophysics
  • upconversion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Catalysis

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