TY - JOUR A1 - Wang, P. A1 - Morales-Marquez, R. A1 - Cervas, G. A1 - Hernandez Medel, A. A1 - Ogayar, M. P. A1 - Jimenez de Aberasturi, D. A1 - de Isidro-Gomez, A. I. A1 - Torres-Padro, A. A1 - Palomares, F. J. A1 - Garcia-Orrit, S. A1 - Sousa, C. T. A1 - Espinosa, A. A1 - Telle, H. H. A1 - Ortgies, D. H. A1 - Vega-Mayoral, V. A1 - Cabanillas-Gonzalez, J. A1 - Rodriguez, E. M. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Wegner, Karl David A1 - Juarez, B. H. T1 - The role of temperature in the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of Ag2S-based nanocrystals N2 - Highly emissive Ag2S nanocrystals (NCs) passivated with a gradated shell incorporating Se and Zn were synthesized in air, and the temperature dependence of their photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) was quantified in both organic and aqueous media at B1200 nm. The relevance of this parameter, measured at physiological temperatures, is highlighted for applications that rely on the near infrared (NIR) photoluminescence of NCs, such as deep NIR imaging or luminescence nanothermometry. Hyperspectral NIR imaging shows that Ag2S-based NCs with a PLQY in organic media of about 10% are inefficient for imaging at 40 8C through 20 mm thick tissue with low laser irradiation power densities. In contrast, water-transferred Ag2S-based NCs with an initial PLQY of 2% in water exhibit improved robustness against temperature changes, enabling improved imaging performance. KW - Quantum dots KW - Ag2S KW - Fluorescence KW - Nanomaterial design KW - Advanced nanomaterials KW - Shortwave infrared (SWIR) KW - Temperature sensing PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-613877 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH01016G SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-61387 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wang, X. A1 - Pauli, Jutta A1 - Niessner, R. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Knopp, D. T1 - Gold nanoparticle-catalyzed uranine reduction for signal amplification in fluorescent assays for melamine and aflatoxin B1 N2 - A multifunctional fluorescence platform has been constructed based on gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-catalyzed uranine reduction. The catalytic reduction of uranine was conducted in aqueous solution using AuNPs as nanocatalyst and sodium borohydride as reducing reagent, which was monitored by fluorescence and UV-vis spectroscopy. The reaction rate was highly dependent on the concentration, size and dispersion state of AuNPs. When AuNPs aggregated, their catalytic ability decreased, and thereby a label-free fluorescent assay was developed for the detection of melamine, which can be used for melamine determination in milk. In addition, a fluorescent immunoassay for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was established using the catalytic reaction for signal amplification based on target-induced concentration change of AuNPs, where AFB1-BSA-coated magnetic beads and anti-AFB1 antibody-conjugated AuNPs were employed as capture and signal probe, respectively. The detection can be accomplished in 1 h and acceptable recoveries in spiked maize samples were achieved. The developed fluorescence system is simple, sensitive and specific, which could be used for the detection of a wide range of analytes. PY - 2015 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-347677 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c5an01300c SN - 0003-2654 SN - 1364-5528 VL - 140 IS - 21 SP - 7305 EP - 7312 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-34767 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wang, Z. A1 - Wegner, Karl David A1 - Stiegler, L. M. S. A1 - Zhou, X. A1 - Rezvani, A. A1 - Odungat, A. S. A1 - Zubiri, B. A. A1 - Wu, M. A1 - Spiecker, E. A1 - Walter, J. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Segets, D. T1 - Optimizing the Shelling Process of InP/ZnS Quantum Dots Using a Single-Source Shell Precursor: Implications for Lighting and Display Applications N2 - InP/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs), recognized as highly promising heavy-metal-free emitters, are increasingly being utilized in lighting and display applications. Their synthesis in a tubular flow reactor enables production in a highly efficient, scalable, and reproducible manner, particularly when combined with a single-source shell precursor, such as zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (Zn(S2CNEt2)2). However, the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of QDs synthesized with this route remains significantly lower compared with those synthesized in batch reactors involving multiple steps for the shell growth. Our study identifies the formation of absorbing, yet nonemissive ZnS nanoparticles during the ZnS shell formation process as a main contributing factor to this discrepancy. By varying the shelling conditions, especially the shelling reaction temperature and InP core concentration, we investigated the formation of pure ZnS nanoparticles and their impact on the optical properties, particularly PLQY, of the resultant InP/ZnS QDs through ultraviolet−visible (UV−vis) absorption, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) measurements. Our results suggest that process conditions, such as lower shelling temperatures or reduced InP core concentrations (resulting in a lower external surface area), encourage homogeneous nucleation of ZnS. This reduces the availability of shell precursors necessary for effective passivation of the InP core surfaces, ultimately resulting in lower PLQYs. These findings explain the origin of persistently underperforming PLQY of InP/ZnS QDs synthesized from this synthesis route and suggest further optimization strategies to improve their emission for lighting and display applications. KW - Nano KW - Particle KW - Synthesis KW - InP KW - Shell KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - ZnS KW - Semiconductor KW - Quantum dot KW - Flow reactor KW - Method KW - AUC KW - Size KW - Automation KW - Sensor PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.4c05265 SN - 2574-0970 VL - 7 IS - 20 SP - 24262 EP - 24273 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-61518 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wasternack, J. A1 - Schröder, H. V. A1 - Witte, J. F. A1 - Ilisson, M. A1 - Hupatz, H. A1 - Hille, J. F. A1 - Gaedke, M. A1 - Valkonen, A. M. A1 - Sobottka, S. A1 - Krappe, A. A1 - Schubert, M. A1 - Paulus, B. A1 - Rissanen, K. A1 - Sarkar, B. A1 - Eigler, S. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Schalley, C. A. T1 - Switchable protection and exposure of a sensitive squaraine dye within a redox active rotaxane N2 - In nature,molecular environments in proteins can sterically protect and stabilize reactive species such as organic radicals through non-covalent interactions.Here, wereport a near-infrared fluorescent rotaxane in which the stabilization of a chemically labile squaraine fluorophore by the coordination of a tetralactam macrocycle can be controlled chemically and electrochemically. The rotaxane can be switched between two co-conformations inwhich thewheel either stabilizes or exposes the fluorophore. Coordination by the wheel affects the squaraine’s stability across four redox states and renders the radical anion significantly more stable—by a factor of 6.7—than without protection by a mechanically bonded wheel. Furthermore, the fluorescence properties can be tuned by the redox reactions in a stepwise manner. Mechanically interlockedmolecules provide an excellent scaffold to stabilize and selectively expose reactive species in a co-conformational switching process controlled by external stimuli. KW - Fluorescence KW - Dye KW - Sensor KW - Quantum yield KW - Spectroscopy KW - Photophysics KW - Synthesis KW - Squaraine KW - Switch KW - Redox-active KW - Rotaxane PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-614959 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-024-01312-1 VL - 7 SP - 1 EP - 11 AN - OPUS4-61495 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wegner, Karl David A1 - Häusler, I. A1 - Knigge, Xenia A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Reiss, P. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - One-Pot Heat-Up Synthesis of ZnSe Magic-Sized Clusters Using Thiol Ligands N2 - The synthesis of two new families of ZnSe magic-sized clusters (MSCs) is achieved using the thiol ligand 1-dodecanethiol in a simple one-pot heat-up approach. The sizes of the MSCs are controlled with the thiol ligand concentration and reaction temperature. KW - ZnSe KW - Magic-sized cluster KW - Dodecanethiol KW - Semiconductor nanocrystals KW - One-pot synthesis PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c00041 VL - 61 IS - 19 SP - 7207 EP - 7211 PB - ACS Publications CY - Washington, DC (USA) AN - OPUS4-54880 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wegner, Karl David A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Quantum dots N2 - The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Aleksey I. Ekimov (prize share 1/3), Louis E. Brus (prize share 1/3), and Moungi G. Bawendi (prize share 1/3) for groundbreaking inventions in the field of nanotechnology, i.e., for the discovery and synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals, also termed quantum dots, that exhibit size-dependent physicochemical properties enabled by quantum size effects. This feature article summarizes the main milestones of the discoveries and developments of quantum dots that paved the road to their versatile applications in solid-state lighting, display technology, energy conversion, medical diagnostics, bioimaging, and image-guided surgery. KW - Quantum dots KW - Semiconductor nanocrystals KW - Luminescence KW - Quantitative spectroscopy KW - Quantum yield KW - Advanced nanomaterials KW - Quality assurance KW - Energy transfer PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-597843 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-024-05225-9 VL - 2024 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Springer CY - Cham AN - OPUS4-59784 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weigert, Florian A1 - Müller, A. A1 - Häusler, I. A1 - Geißler, Daniel A1 - Skroblin, D. A1 - Unger, Wolfgang A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Combining HR‑TEM and XPS to elucidate the core–shell structure of ultrabright CdSe/CdS semiconductor quantum dots N2 - Controlling thickness and tightness of surface passivation shells is crucial for many applications of core–shell nanoparticles (NP). Usually, to determine shell thickness, core and core/shell particle are measured individually requiring the availability of both nanoobjects. This is often not fulfilled for functional nanomaterials such as many photoluminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QD) used for bioimaging, solid state lighting, and display technologies as the core does not show the applicationrelevant functionality like a high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, calling for a whole nanoobject approach. By combining high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a novel whole nanoobject approach is developed representatively for an ultrabright oleic acid-stabilized, thick shell CdSe/CdS QD with a PL quantum yield close to unity. The size of this spectroscopically assessed QD, is in the range of the information depth of usual laboratory XPS. Information on particle size and monodispersity were validated with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and compared to data derived from optical measurements. In addition to demonstrating the potential of this novel whole nanoobject approach for determining architectures of small nanoparticles, the presented results also highlight challenges faced by different sizing and structural analysis methods and method-inherent uncertainties. KW - Photoluminescence KW - Single particle KW - Microscopy KW - Particle architecture KW - Thickness KW - SAXS KW - Shell KW - XPS KW - TEM KW - Semiconductor KW - Quantum dot KW - Photophysics KW - Quantum yield PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-517911 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-77530-z VL - 10 IS - 1 SP - 20712 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-51791 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wiesholler, L. M. A1 - Frenzel, Florian A1 - Grauel, Bettina A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Hirsch, T. ED - Resch-Genger, Ute ED - Hirsch, Thomas T1 - Yb,Nd,Er-doped upconversion nanoparticles: 980 nm versus 808 nm excitation N2 - Yb,Nd,Er-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable interest as luminescent reporters for bioimaging, sensing, energy conversion/shaping, and anticounterfeiting due to their capability to convert multiple near-infrared (NIR) photons into shorter wavelength ultraviolet, visible or NIR luminescence by successive absorption of two or more NIR photons. This enables optical measurements in complex media with very little background and high penetration depths for bioimaging. The use of Nd3+ as substitute for the commonly employed sensitizer Yb3+ or in combination with Yb3+ shifts the excitation wavelength from about 980 nm, where the absorption of water can weaken upconversion luminescence, to about 800 nm, and laser-induced local overheating effects in cells, tissue, and live animal studies can be minimized. To systematically investigate the potential of Nd3+ doping, we assessed the performance of a set of similarly sized Yb3+,Nd3+,Er3+-doped core- and core–shell UCNPs of different particle architecture in water at broadly varied excitation power densities (P) with steady state and time-resolved fluorometry for excitation at 980 nm and 808 nm. As a measure for UCNPs performance, the P-dependent upconversion quantum yield (Φ) and its saturation behavior were used as well as particle brightness (B). Based upon spectroscopic measurements at both excitation wavelengths in water and in a lipid phantom and B-based calculations of signal size at different penetration depths, conditions under which excitation at 808 nm is advantageous are derived and parameters for the further optimization of triple-doped UCNPs are given. KW - Lanthanide KW - Upconversion KW - Nanoparticle KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Lifetime KW - Brightness KW - Nd excitation KW - Excitation power density KW - Modelling KW - NIR PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NR03127H SN - 2040-3372 SN - 2040-3364 VL - 11 IS - 28 SP - 13440 EP - 13449 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - London AN - OPUS4-48608 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wilhelm, Stefan A1 - Kaiser, Martin A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Heiland, J. A1 - Carrillo-Carrion, C. A1 - Muhr, V. A1 - Wolfbeis, Otto S. A1 - Parak, W.J. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Hirsch, T. T1 - Water dispersible upconverting nanoparticles: effects of surface modification on their luminescence and colloidal stability N2 - We present a systematic study on the effect of surface ligands on the luminescence properties and colloidal stability of β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), comparing nine different surface coatings to render these UCNPs water-dispersible and bioconjugatable. A prerequisite for this study was a large-scale synthetic method that yields ~2 g per batch of monodisperse oleate-capped UCNPs providing identical core particles. These ~23 nm sized UCNPs display an upconversion quantum yield of ~0.35% when dispersed in cyclohexane and excited with a power density of 150 W cm-2, underlining their high quality. A comparison of the colloidal stability and luminescence properties of these UCNPs, subsequently surface modified with ligand exchange or encapsulation protocols, revealed that the ratio of the green (545 nm) and red (658 nm) emission bands determined at a constant excitation power density clearly depends on the surface chemistry. Modifications relying on the deposition of additional (amphiphilic) layer coatings, where the initial oleate coating is retained, show reduced non-radiative quenching by water as compared to UCNPs that are rendered water-dispersible via ligand exchange. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the brightness of the upconversion luminescence of the UCNPs is strongly affected by the type of surface modification, i.e., ligand exchange or encapsulation, yet hardly by the chemical nature of the ligand. KW - upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) KW - Luminescence KW - surface modification PY - 2015 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-324071 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c4nr05954a SN - 2040-3364 SN - 2040-3372 VL - 7 IS - 4 SP - 1403 EP - 1410 PB - RSC Publ. CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-32407 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Witte, F. A1 - Rietsch, P. A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Weigert, Florian A1 - Götze, J. P. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Eigler, S. A1 - Paulus, B. T1 - Aggregation-induced emission leading to two distinct emissive species in the solid-state structure of high-dipole organic chromophores N2 - The concept of aggregation-induced emission represents a means to rationalise photoluminescence of usually nonfluorescent excimers in solid-state materials. In this publication, we study the photophysical properties of selected diaminodicyanoquinone (DADQ) derivatives in the solid state using a combined approach of experiment and theory. DADQs are a class of high-dipole organic chromophores promising for applications in non-linear optics and light-harvesting devices. Among the compounds investigated, we find both aggregation-induced emission and aggregation-caused quenching effects rationalised by calculated energy transfer rates. Analysis of fluorescence spectra and lifetime measurements provide the interesting result that (at least) two emissive species seem to contribute to the photophysical properties of DADQs. The main emission peak is notably broadened in the long-wavelength limit and exhibits a blue-shifted shoulder. We employ high-level quantum-chemical methods to validate a molecular approach to a solid-state problem and show that the complex emission features of DADQs can be attributed to a combination of H-type aggregates, monomers, and crystal structure defects. KW - Fluorescence KW - Optical probe KW - Dye KW - Photophysics KW - Theory KW - Quantum yield KW - Mechanism KW - Quantum chemistry KW - Modelling KW - Aggregation KW - Lifetime KW - Single particle KW - Microscopy KW - Solid KW - Crystal PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-531138 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d1cp02534a SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-53113 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -