TY - JOUR A1 - Ahiboz, D. A1 - Andresen, Elina A1 - Manley, P. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Becker, C. T1 - Metasurface-Enhanced Photon Upconversion upon 1550 nm Excitation JF - Advanced Science News N2 - Photon upconversion upon 1550 nm excitation is of high relevance for applications in the third biological excitation window, for photovoltaics beyond current limitations, and enables appealing options in the field of glass Fiber telecommunications. Trivalent doped erbium ions (Er3+) are the material of choice for 1550 nm excited upconversion, however, they suffer from a low absorption cross-section and a low brightness. Therefore, the ability of Silicon metasurfaces to provide greatly enhanced electrical near-fields is employed to enable efficient photon upconversion even at low external Illumination conditions. Hexagonally shaped β-NaYF4:Er3+ nanoparticles are placed on large-area silicon metasurfaces designed to convert near-infrared (1550 nm) to visible light. More than 2400-fold enhanced photon upconversion luminescence is achieved by using this metasurface instead of a planar substrate. With the aid of optical simulations based on the finite-element method, this result is attributed to the coupling of the excitation source with metasurface resonances at appropriate incident angles. Analysis of the excitation power density dependence of upconversion luminescence and red-to-green-emission ratios enables the estimation of nanoscale near-field enhancement on the metasurface. The findings permit the significant reduction of required external excitation intensities for photon upconversion of 1550 nm light, opening perspectives in biophotonics, telecommunication, and photovoltaics. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - Excitation power density KW - Single particle KW - Brightness KW - NIR KW - Mechanism KW - Single enhancement KW - SWIR KW - Method PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-537193 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202101285. SN - 2195-1071 VL - 9 IS - 24 SP - 2101285 PB - Wiley-VCH-GmbH AN - OPUS4-53719 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Andresen, Elina A1 - Radunz, Sebastian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Novel PET-Operated Rosamine Sensor Dyes with Substitution Pattern-Tunable pKa Values and Temperature Sensitivity JF - New Journal of Chemistry N2 - We present the synthesis and characterization of a family of regioisomerically pure pH-sensitive rosamine fluorophores consisting of xanthene fluorophore cores, which determine the dyes’ photophysical properties such as excitation/emission wavelength, fluorescence quantum yield, and fluorescence lifetime, and differently substituted phenol moieties. The hydroxyl substituent of the phenol moiety introduces a pH sensitivity of the dyes’ fluorescence exploiting a photoinduced electron transfer (PET), that leads to a protonation-induced switching ON of the rosamine emission. Rational tuning of the pKa value of the rosamine fluorescence between 4 to 9 is achieved by altering the substitution pattern and degree of bromination of the phenolic subunits. Additionally, a temperature sensitivity of the fluorescence quantum yield is introduced or suppressed based upon the degree of rigidity of the xanthene scaffold. KW - Fluorescence KW - Optical probe KW - Sensor KW - Dye KW - Rosamine KW - Synthesis KW - Photophysics KW - PH KW - Quantum yield KW - Quality assurancemechanism KW - temperature PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-530562 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d1nj02505h VL - 45 IS - 31 SP - 13934 EP - 13940 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-53056 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bandi, V.G. A1 - Luciano, M.P. A1 - Saccomano, M. A1 - Patel, N.L. A1 - Bischof, Th. S. A1 - Lingg, J.G.P. A1 - Tsrunchev, P.T. A1 - Nix, M.N. A1 - Ruehle, Bastian A1 - Sanders, C. A1 - Riffle, L. A1 - Robinson, C.M. A1 - Difilippantonio, S. A1 - Kalen, J.D. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Ivanic, J. A1 - Bruns, O.T. A1 - Schnermann, M. T1 - Targeted multicolor in vivo imaging over 1,000 nm enabled by nonamethine cyanines JF - Nature Methods N2 - Recent progress has shown that using wavelengths between 1,000 and 2,000 nm, referred to as the shortwave-infrared or near-infrared (NIR)-II range, can enable high-resolution in vivo imaging at depths not possible with conventional optical wavelengths. However, few bioconjugatable probes of the type that have proven invaluable for multiplexed imaging in the visible and NIR range are available for imaging these wavelengths. Using rational design, we have generated persulfonated indocyanine dyes with absorbance maxima at 872 and 1,072 nm through catechol-ring and aryl-ring fusion, respectively, onto the nonamethine scaffold. Multiplexed two-color and three-color in vivo imaging using monoclonal antibody and dextran conjugates in several tumor models illustrate the benefits of concurrent labeling of the tumor and healthy surrounding tissue and lymphatics. These efforts are enabled by complementary advances in a custom-built NIR/shortwave-infrared imaging setup and software package for multicolor real-time imaging. KW - Photoluminescence KW - Fluorescence KW - Dye KW - Cyanine KW - Antibody KW - Bioconjugate KW - Conjugate KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - NIR KW - SWIR KW - Mechanism KW - Imaging KW - Application KW - Contrast agent KW - Bioimaging PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-022-01394-6 VL - 19 IS - 3 SP - 353 EP - 358 PB - Nature Research AN - OPUS4-54465 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bastos, V. A1 - Oskoei, P. A1 - Andresen, Elina A1 - Saleh, Maysoon I. A1 - Rühle, Bastian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Oliveira, H. T1 - Stability, dissolution, and cytotoxicity of NaYF4‑upconversion nanoparticles with different coatings JF - Scientific reports N2 - Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique photophysical properties. Their utilization in biomedical applications depends on the understanding of their transformations under physiological conditions and their potential toxicity. In this study, NaYF4: Yb,Er UCNPs, widely used for luminescence and photophysical studies, were modified with a set of four different coordinatively bound surface ligands, i.e., citrate, alendronate (AA), ethylendiamine tetra(methylene phosphonate) (EDTMP), and poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (PMAO), as well as silica coatings with two different thicknesses. Subsequently, the aging-induced release of fluoride ions in water and cell culture media and their cytotoxic profile to human keratinocytes were assessed in parallel to the cytotoxic evaluation of the ligands, sodium fluoride and the lanthanide ions. The cytotoxicity studies of UCNPs with different surface modifications demonstrated the good biocompatibility of EDTMP-UCNPs and PMAO-UCNPs, which is in line with the low amount of fluoride ions released from these samples. An efficient prevention of UCNP dissolution and release of cytotoxic ions, as well as low cytotoxicity was also observed for UCNPs with a sufficiently thick silica shell. Overall, our results provide new insights into the understanding of the contribution of surface chemistry to the stability, dissolution behavior, and cytotoxicity of UCNPs. Altogether, the results obtained are highly important for future applications of UCNPs in the life sciences and bioimaging studies. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Excitation power density KW - Surface chemistry KW - Coating PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-544681 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07630-5 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 12 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - Springer Nature CY - London AN - OPUS4-54468 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Behnke, Thomas A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Laux, Eva-Maria A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Simple strategies towards bright polymer particles via one-step staining procedures JF - Dyes and pigments N2 - In order to develop simple and versatile procedures for the preparation of red emissive particles, various one-step swelling procedures for the loading of fluorophores into nanometer- and micrometer-sized polystyrene particles were systematically assessed. Parameters studied for model dyes from common dye classes include the composition of the swelling medium, dye charge and polarity, dye concentration, and particle surface chemistry. The dye loading procedures were compared based upon the efficiency of dye incorporation, fluorescence intensity, and colloidal stability of the resulting particles as well as the absence of dye leaking as determined by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, flow cytometry, and measurements of zeta potentials. In addition, for the first time, the influence of the amount of incorporated dye on the absolute fluorescence quantum yield and brightness of the fluorescent particles was investigated for selected chromophores in differently sized particles using a custom-made calibrated integrating sphere setup. Our results demonstrate the general suitability of these one-step loading procedures for efficient particle staining with neutral, zwitterionic, and charged fluorophores like oxazines, coumarines, squaraines, xanthenes, and cyanines emitting in the visible and near infrared. Dye polarity was identified as a suitable tool to estimate the loading efficiency of fluorophores into these polymer particles. KW - Fluorescence KW - Polystyrene KW - Particles KW - Encapsulation KW - Quantum yield KW - Zeta potential KW - Method KW - Label KW - Particle KW - Polymer KW - Absolute fluorescence quantum yield KW - Fluorophore KW - Dye content KW - Surface groups KW - Size KW - Brightness PY - 2012 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2012.01.021 SN - 0143-7208 SN - 1873-3743 VL - 94 IS - 2 SP - 247 EP - 257 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Kidlington AN - OPUS4-25481 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bergstrand, J. A1 - Li, Q. A1 - Huang, B. A1 - Peng, X. A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Zhan, Q. A1 - Widengren, J. A1 - Agren, H. A1 - Liu, H. T1 - On the decay time of upconversion luminescence JF - Nanoscale N2 - In this study, we systematically investigate the decay characteristics of upconversion luminescence (UCL) under anti-Stokes excitation through numerical simulations based on rate-equation models. We find that a UCL decay profile generally involves contributions from the sensitizer’s excited-state lifetime, energy transfer and cross-relaxation processes. It should thus be regarded as the overall temporal response of the whole upconversion system to the excitation function rather than the intrinsic lifetime of the luminescence emitting state. Only under certain conditions, such as when the effective lifetime of the sensitizer’s excited state is significantly shorter than that of the UCL emitting state and of the absence of cross-relaxation processes involving the emitting energy level, the UCL decay time approaches the intrinsic lifetime of the emitting state. Subsequently, Stokes excitation is generally preferred in order to accurately quantify the intrinsic lifetime of the emitting state. However, possible cross-relaxation between doped ions at high doping levels can complicate the decay characteristics of the luminescence and even make the Stokesexcitation approach fail. A strong cross-relaxation process can also account for the power dependence of the decay characteristics of UCL. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Mechanism KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Modeling PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c8nr10332a VL - 11 IS - 11 SP - 4959 EP - 4969 PB - RSC Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-47888 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bertorelle, F. A1 - Wegner, Karl David A1 - Berkulic, M. P. A1 - Fakhouri, H. A1 - Comby-Zerbino, C. A1 - Sagar, A. A1 - Bernadó, P. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Bonacic-Koutecký, V. A1 - Le Guével, X. A1 - Antoine, R. T1 - Tailoring the NIR-II Photoluminescence of Single Thiolated Au25 Nanoclusters by Selective Binding to Proteins JF - Chemistry - A European Journal N2 - Atomically precise gold nanoclusters are a fascinating class of nanomaterials that exhibit molecule-like properties and have outstanding photoluminescence (PL). Their ultrasmall size, molecular chemistry, and biocompatibility make them extremely appealing for selective biomolecule labeling in investigations of biological mechanisms at the cellular and anatomical levels. In this work, we report a simple route to incorporate a preformed Au25 nanocluster into a model bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. A new approach combining small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular modeling provides a clear localization of a single Au25 within the protein to a cysteine residue on the gold nanocluster surface. Attaching Au25 to BSA strikingly modifies the PL properties with enhancement and a redshift in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. This study paves the way to conrol the design of selective sensitive probes in biomolecules through a ligand-based strategy to enable the optical detection of biomolecules in a cellular environment by live imaging. KW - Fluorescence KW - Aggregation KW - Signal enhancement KW - Cluster KW - Nano KW - Metal KW - NIRII KW - SWIR KW - Sensor KW - Quantum yield KW - Lifetime KW - Photophysics KW - Synthesis KW - Protein KW - Imaging KW - Bioimaging KW - Ligand KW - Gold PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202200570 SN - 1521-3765 VL - 28 IS - 39 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-55077 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Biesen, L. A1 - Krenzer, J. A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Müller, Th. J. J. T1 - Asymmetrically bridged aroyl-S,N-ketene acetalbased multichromophores with aggregationinduced tunable emission JF - Chemical Science N2 - Asymmetrically bridged aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals and aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal multichromophores can be readily synthesized in consecutive three-, four-, or five-component syntheses in good to excellent yields by several successive Suzuki-couplings of aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals and bis(boronic)acid esters. Different aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals as well as linker molecules yield a library of 23 multichromophores with substitution and linker pattern-tunable emission properties. This allows control of different communication pathways between the chromophores and of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and energy transfer (ET) properties, providing elaborate aggregation-based fluorescence switches. KW - Dye KW - Aggregation KW - Aggregation induced emission KW - Signal enhancement KW - Energy transfer KW - Switch KW - Sensor KW - Quantum yield KW - Lifetime KW - Photophysics KW - Sythesis KW - Nanaoparticle PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-550719 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d2sc00415a VL - 13 SP - 5374 EP - 5381 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-55071 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Biesen, L. A1 - May, L. A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Müller, T. J. J. T1 - Communication of Bichromophore Emission upon Aggregation – Aroyl-S,N-ketene Acetals as Multifunctional Sensor Merocyanines JF - Chemical European Journal N2 - Aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal-based bichromophores can be readily synthesized in a consecutive three-component synthesis in good to excellent yields by condensation of aroyl chlorides and an N-(p-bromobenzyl) 2-methyl benzothiazolium salt followed by a Suzuki coupling, yielding a library of 31 bichromophoric fluorophores with substitution patterntunable emission properties. Varying both chromophores enables different communication pathways between the chromophores, exploiting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and energy transfer (ET) properties, and thus, furnishing aggregation-based fluorescence switches. Possible applications range from fluorometric analysis of alcoholic beverages to pH sensors. KW - Dye KW - Fluorescence KW - Aggregation induced emission KW - Signal enhancement KW - Energy transfer KW - Switch KW - Sensor KW - Quantum yield KW - Lifetime KW - Photophysics KW - Synthesis PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-531123 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202102052 VL - 27 IS - 53 SP - 13426 EP - 13434 PB - Wiley-VCH AN - OPUS4-53112 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Biesen, L. A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Müller, T. J. J. T1 - Solid-State Emissive Aroyl-S,N-Ketene Acetals with Tunable JF - Angewandte Chemie-International Edition N2 - N-Benzyl aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals can be readily synthesized by condensation of aroyl chlorides and N-Benzyl 2-methyl benzothiazolium salts in good to excellent yields, yielding a library of 35 chromophores with bright solid-state emission and aggregation-induced emission characteristics. Varying the substituent from electron-donating to electronwithdrawing enables the tuning of the solid-state emission Color from deep blue to red. KW - Nano KW - Nanoparticle KW - Photoluminescence KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - dye KW - Enhancement KW - Particle KW - Polarity KW - AIE KW - Aggregation KW - Aggregation-induced emission KW - Solid state emission PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-509072 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201916396 VL - 59 IS - 25 SP - 10037 EP - 10041 PB - Wiley Online Libary AN - OPUS4-50907 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Clark, P.C.J A1 - Andresen, Elina A1 - Sear, M. J. A1 - Favaro, M. A1 - Girardi, L. A1 - van de Krol, R. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Starr, D.E. T1 - Quantification of the Activator and Sensitizer Ion Distributions in NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ Upconverting Nanoparticles Via Depth-Profiling with Tender X-Ray Photoemission JF - Small N2 - The spatial distribution and concentration of lanthanide activator and sensitizer dopant ions are of key importance for the luminescence color and efficiency of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). Quantifying dopant ion distributions and intermixing, and correlating them with synthesis methods require suitable analytical techniques. Here, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth-profiling with tender X-rays (2000–6000 eV), providing probe depths ideally matched to UCNP sizes, is used to measure the depth-dependent concentration ratios of Er3+ to Yb3+, [Er3+]/[Yb3+], in three types of UCNPs prepared using different reagents and synthesis methods. This is combined with data simulations and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) measurements of the lanthanide ion concentrations to construct models of the UCNPs’ dopant ion distributions. The UCNP sizes and architectures are chosen to demonstrate the potential of this approach. Core-only UCNPs synthesized with XCl3·6H2O precursors (β-phase) exhibit a homogeneous distribution of lanthanide ions, but a slightly surface-enhanced [Er3+]/[Yb3+] is observed for UCNPs prepared with trifluroacetate precursors (α-phase). Examination of Yb-core@Er-shell UCNPs reveals a co-doped, intermixed region between the single-doped core and shell. The impact of these different dopant ion distributions on the UCNP's optical properties is discussed to highlight their importance for UCNP functionality and the design of efficient UCNPs. KW - Shell KW - Nanomaterial KW - Nano KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Excitation power density KW - Surface KW - Coating KW - Core-shell KW - XPS KW - Intermixing KW - HAXPES KW - Method PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-552075 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202107976 SN - 1613-6813 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - Wiley-VCH-Verlag CY - Weinheim, Germany AN - OPUS4-55207 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Daly, H.C A1 - Matikonda, S.S A1 - Steffens, H.C A1 - Rühle, Bastian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Ivanic, J. A1 - Schermann, M.J T1 - Daly_Photochem Photobiol 2021_Ketone Incorporation Extends the Emission Properties of the Xanthene Scaffold JF - Photochemistry and Photobiology N2 - Imaging in the shortwave-infrared region (SWIR, λ = 1000–2500 nm) has the potential to enable deep tissue imaging with high resolution. Critical to the development of these Methods is the identification of low molecular weight, biologically compatible fluorescent probes that emit beyond 1000 nm. Exchanging the bridging oxygen atom on the xanthene scaffold (C10’ position) with electron withdrawing groups has been shown to lead to significant redshifts in absorbance and emission. Guided by quantum chemistry computational modeling studies, we investigated the installation of a Ketone bridge at the C10’ position. This simple modification extends the absorbance maxima to 860 nm and the emission beyond 1000 nm, albeit with reduced photon output. Overall, These studies demonstrate that broadly applied xanthene dyes can be extended into the SWIR range. KW - Flourescence KW - Optical probe KW - Dye KW - Photophysics KW - Quantum yield KW - Mechanism KW - NIR KW - SWIR KW - Imaging KW - Reliability KW - Method KW - Quality assurance PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/php.13544 SN - 1751-1097 VL - 98 IS - 2 SP - 325 EP - 333 PB - Wiley Online Library AN - OPUS4-54080 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Denißen, M. A1 - Hannen, R. A1 - Itskalov, D. A1 - Biesen, L. A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Reiss, G. J. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Müller, T. J. J. T1 - One-pot synthesis of a white-light emissive bichromophore operated by aggregation-induced dual emission (AIDE) and partial energy transfer JF - Chemical Communications N2 - Merocyanine–triarylamine bichromophores are readily synthesized by sequentially Pd-catalyzed insertion alkynylation–Michael–Suzuki four-component reactions. White-light emissive systems form upon aggregation in 1 : 99 and 0.1 : 99.9 vol% CH2Cl2–cyclohexane mixtures, ascribed to aggregation-induced dual emission (AIDE) in combination with partial energy transfer between both chromophore units as supported by spectroscopic studies. KW - Energy transfer KW - Nano KW - Nanoparticle KW - Photoluminescence KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - Dye KW - Enhancement KW - Particle KW - Polarity KW - AIE KW - Aggregation KW - Aggregation-induced emission KW - Solid state emission KW - Merocyanine PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d0cc03451g VL - 56 IS - 54 SP - 7407 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-50936 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - DeRose, P.C. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Recommendations for fluorescence instrument qualification: the new ASTM standard guide JF - Analytical chemistry N2 - Aimed at improving quality assurance and quantitation for modern fluorescence techniques, ASTM International (ASTM) is about to release a Standard Guide for Fluorescence, reviewed here. The guide's main focus is on steady state fluorometry, for which available standards and instrument characterization procedures are discussed along with their purpose, suitability, and general instructions for use. These include the most relevant instrument properties needing qualification, such as linearity and spectral responsivity of the detection system, spectral irradiance reaching the sample, wavelength accuracy, sensitivity or limit of detection for an analyte, and day-to-day performance verification. With proper consideration of method-inherent requirements and limitations, many of these procedures and standards can be adapted to other fluorescence techniques. In addition, procedures for the determination of other relevant fluorometric quantities including fluorescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes are briefly introduced. The guide is a clear and concise reference geared for users of fluorescence instrumentation at all levels of experience and is intended to aid in the ongoing standardization of fluorescence measurements. KW - Fluorescence KW - Method KW - Quantum yield KW - Photoluminescence KW - Standard KW - Emission KW - Spectral correction KW - Excitation KW - Anisotropy KW - Recommendation KW - Instrument qualification PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/ac902507p SN - 0003-2700 SN - 1520-6882 VL - 82 IS - 5 SP - 2129 EP - 2133 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-21066 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dhamo, Lorena A1 - Carulli, F. A1 - Nickl, Philip A1 - Wegner, Karl David A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Brovelli, S. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Efficient luminescent solar concentrators based on environmentally friendly Cd-free ternary AIS/ZnS quantum dots JF - Advanced optical materials N2 - Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC) allow to obtain renewable energy from building integrated photovoltaic systems. As promising efficient and long-term stable LSC fluorophores semiconductor nanocrystals like Quantum dots (QDs) with size and composition tunable optoelectronic properties have recently emerged. The most popular II/VI or IV/VI semiconductor QDs contain, however, potentially hazardous cadmium or lead ions, which is a bottleneck for commercial applications. A simple aqueous based, microwaveassisted synthesis for environmentally friendly and highly emissive AgInS2/ ZnS QDs is developed using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and glutathione (GSH) and their incorporation into polylaurylmethacrylate (PLMA) polymer slabs integrable in LSC devices (10.4 × 10.4 × 0.2 cm3, G = 12.98). With this simple approach, optical power efficiencies (OPE) of 3.8% and 3.6% and optical quantum efficiencies (OQE) of 24.1% and 27.4% are obtained, which are among the highest values yet reported. KW - Solar energy KW - Solar concentrator KW - Quantum dots KW - Advanced material KW - Quantum yield PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-529735 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202100587 SN - 2195-1071 SN - 0935-9648 VL - 9 IS - 17 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-52973 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - EvstigneevT, Roman V. A1 - Parfenov, Peter S. A1 - Dubavik, Aliaksei A1 - Cherevkov, Sergei A A1 - Fedorov, Anatoly V A1 - Martynenko, Irina V. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Ushakova, Elena V. A1 - Baranov, Alexander V. T1 - Time-resolved FRET in AgInS2/ZnS-CdSe/ZnS quantum dot systems JF - Nanotechnology N2 - The fast and accurate detection of disease-related biomarkers and potentially harmful analytes in different matrices is one of the main challenges in the life sciences. In order to achieve high signal-to-background ratios with frequently used photoluminescence techniques, luminescent reporters are required that are either excitable in the first diagnostic window or reveal luminescence lifetimes exceeding that of autofluorescent matrix components. Here, we demonstrate a reporter concept relying on broad band emissive ternary quantum dots (QDs) with luminescence lifetimes of a few hundred nanoseconds utilized for prolongating the lifetimes of organic or inorganic emitters with lifetimes in the order of a very few 10 ns or less through fluorescence resonant energy transfer. Using spectrally resolved and time-resolved measurements of the system optical response we demonstrate the potential of lifetime multiplexing with such systems exemplarily for AgInS2/ZnS and CdSe/ZnS QDs. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Ternary quantum dots KW - AIS KW - Semiconductor nanocrystal KW - Photoluminescence KW - Mechanism KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Energy transfer KW - Lifetime KW - Time-gated emission PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ab0136 SN - 0957-4484 SN - 1361-6528 VL - 30 IS - 19 SP - 195501, 1 EP - 7 PB - IOP Publishing Ltd AN - OPUS4-47434 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fa, X. A1 - Lin, Sh. A1 - Yang, J. A1 - Shen, Ch. A1 - Liu, Y. A1 - Gong, Y. A1 - Qin, A. A1 - Ou, Jun A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - −808 nm-activated Ca2+ doped up-conversion nanoparticles that release no inducing liver cancer cell (HepG2) apoptosis JF - Methods and Applications in Fluorescence N2 - Anear-infrared (NIR) light-triggered release method for nitric oxide (NO) was developed utilizing core/shell NaYF4: Tm/Yb/Ca@NaGdF4:Nd/Yb up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) bearing a mesoporous silica (mSiO2) shell loaded with theNOdonor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP). To avoid overheating in biological samples, Nd3+ was chosen as a sensitizer, Yb3+ ions as the bridging sensitizer, andTm3+ ions as UV-emissive activator while co-doping with Ca2+ was done to enhance the luminescence of the activatorTm3+.NOrelease from SNAP was triggered by an NIR-UV up-conversion process, initiated by 808nmlight absorbed by the Nd3+ ions.NOrelease was confirmed by the Griess method. Under 808nmirradiation, the viability of the liver cancer cell line HepG2 significantly decreased with increasing UCNPs@mSiO2-SNAP concentration. For a UCNPs@mSiO2-SNAP concentration of 200 μgml−1, the cell survival probability was 47%. These results demonstrate that UCNPs@mSiO2-SNAP can induce the release of apoptosis-inducingNOby NIR irradiation. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - Excitation power density KW - Brightness KW - NIR KW - Mechanism KW - Triggered KW - Release KW - Cell KW - PDT KW - Dye KW - Therapy KW - Surface KW - Coating PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/2050-6120/ac5524 VL - 10 IS - 2 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - IOP Publishing AN - OPUS4-54842 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fiedler, Saskia A1 - Frenzel, Florian A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Tavernaro, Isabella A1 - Grüne, M. A1 - Schweizer, S. A1 - Engel, A. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Interlaboratory Comparison on Absolute Photoluminescence Quantum Yield Measurements of Solid Light Converting Phosphors with Three Commercial Integrating Sphere Setups JF - American Chemical Society N2 - Scattering luminescent materials dispersed in liquid and solid matrices and luminescent powders are increasingly relevant for fundamental research and industry. Examples are luminescent nano- and microparticles and phosphors of different compositions in various matrices or incorporated into ceramics with applications in energy conversion, solid-state lighting, medical diagnostics, and security barcoding. The key parameter to characterize the performance of these materials is the photoluminescence/fluorescence quantum yield (Φf), i.e., the number of emitted photons per number of absorbed photons. To identify and quantify the sources of uncertainty of absolute measurements of Φf of scattering samples, the first interlaboratory comparison (ILC) of three laboratories from academia and industry was performed by following identical measurement protocols. Thereby, two types ofcommercial stand-alone integrating sphere setups with different illumination and detection geometries were utilized for measuring the Φf of transparent and scattering dye solutions and solid phosphors, namely, YAG:Ce optoceramics of varying surface roughness, used as converter materials for blue light emitting diodes. Special emphasis was dedicated to the influence of the measurement geometry, the optical properties of the blank utilized to determine the number of photons of the incident excitation light absorbed by the sample, and the sample-specific surface roughness. While the Φf values of the liquid samples matched between instruments, Φf measurements of the optoceramics with different blanks revealed substantial differences. The ILC results underline the importance of the measurement geometry, sample position, and blank for reliable Φf data of scattering the YAG:Ce optoceramics, with the blank’s optical properties accounting for uncertainties exceeding 20%. KW - Nano KW - Fluorescence KW - Reference material KW - Luminescence KW - Quantitative spectroscopy KW - Particle KW - Quantum yield KW - Quality assurance KW - Phosphor KW - Converter material KW - Lifetime KW - Interlaboratory comparison KW - Method KW - Uncertainty PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-600945 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00372 SN - 0003-2700 SP - 6730 EP - 6737 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-60094 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Frenzel, Florian A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Dukhno, O. A1 - Przybilla, F. A1 - Wiesholler, L. M. A1 - Muhr, V. A1 - Horsch, T. A1 - Mély, Y. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Multiband emission from single β-NaYF4(Yb,Er) nanoparticles at high excitation power densities and comparison to ensemble studies JF - Springer N2 - Ensemble and single particle studies of the excitation power density (P)-dependent upconversion luminescence (UCL) of core and core–shell β-NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) doped with 20% Yb3+ and 1% or 3% Er3+ performed over a P regime of 6 orders of magnitude reveal an increasing contribution of the emission from high energy Er3+ levels at P > 1 kW/cm2. This changes the overall emission color from initially green over yellow to white. While initially the green and with increasing P the red emission dominate in ensemble measurements at P < 1 kW/cm2, the increasing population of higher Er3+ energy levels by multiphotonic processes at higher P in single particle studies results in a multitude of emission bands in the ultraviolet/visible/near infrared (UV/vis/NIR) accompanied by a decreased contribution of the red luminescence. Based upon a thorough analysis of the P-dependence of UCL, the emission bands activated at high P were grouped and assigned to 2–3, 3–4, and 4 photonic processes involving energy transfer (ET), excited-state absorption (ESA), cross-relaxation (CR), back energy transfer (BET), and non-radiative relaxation processes (nRP). This underlines the P-tunability of UCNP brightness and color and highlights the potential of P-dependent measurements for mechanistic studies required to manifest the population pathways of the different Er3+ levels. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Llifetime KW - Sensor KW - Excitation power density KW - Single particle KW - Brightness KW - NIR KW - Mechanism KW - Color tuning PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-021-3350-y SN - 1998-0124 VL - 14 IS - 11 SP - 4107 EP - 4115 PB - Nano Research AN - OPUS4-52364 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Geißler, Daniel A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Wolter, C. A1 - Weller, H. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Excitation wavelength dependence of the photoluminescence quantum yield and decay behavior of CdSe/CdS quantum dot/quantum rods with different aspect ratios JF - Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP) N2 - The excitation wavelength (lexc) dependence of the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (FPL) and decay behavior (tPL) of a series of CdSe/CdS quantum dot/Quantum rods (QDQRs), consisting of the same spherical CdSe core and rod-shaped CdS shells, with aspect ratios ranging from 2 to 20 was characterized. lexc between 400–565 nm were chosen to cover the first excitonic absorption band of the CdSe core material, the onset of absorption of the CDs shell, and the region of predominant shell absorption. A strong lexc dependence of relative and absolutely measured FPL and tPL was found particularly for the longer QDQRs with higher aspect ratios. This is attributed to combined contributions from a length-dependent shell-to-core exciton localization efficiency, an increasing number of defect states within the shell for the longest QDQRs, and probably also the presence of absorbing, yet non-emitting shell material. Although the FPL values of the QDQRs decrease at shorter wavelength, the extremely high extinction coefficients introduced by the shell outweigh this effect, leading to significantly higher brightness values at wavelengths below the absorption onset of the CdS Shell compared with direct excitation of the CdSe cores. Moreover, our results present also an interesting example for the comparability of absolutely measured FPL using an integrating sphere setup and FPL values measured relative to common FPL standards, and underline the Need for a correction for particle scattering for QDQRs with high aspect ratios. KW - Quantum dot KW - Quantum rod KW - Quantum yield KW - Integrating sphere KW - Decay time PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CP02142A SN - 1463-9076 SN - 1463-9084 VL - 19 IS - 19 SP - 12509 EP - 12516 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-40814 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gharaati, S. A1 - Wang, Cui A1 - Förster, C. A1 - Weigert, Florian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Heinze, K. T1 - Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion in a MOF with AcceptorFilled Channels JF - Chemistry - A European Journal N2 - In summary, we report a highly modular solid TTA-UC system comprising of a crystalline, thermally stable PCN222(Pd) MOF with CA-coated MOF channels and with a DPA annihilator embedded in a solution-like environment in the MOF channels. This solid material displays blue upconverted delayed emission with a luminescence lifetime of 373 us, a threshold value of 329 mW*cm-2 and a triplet–triplet energy transfer efficiency of 82%. This optical application adds another facet to the versatile chemistry of PCN-222 MOFs. The design concept is also applicable to other TTA-UC pairs and enables tuning of the UCL color, for example, by replacing DPA with other dyes as exemplarily shown for 2,5,8,11-tetra-tert-butyl-perylene, that yields UCL at 450 nm. Current work aims to reduce the oxygen sensitivity and to increase the retention of the trapped annihilators in organic environments, for example, by tuning the chain length of the carboxylic acid and by coating the MOF surface. In addition, the TTA-UC efficiency will be further enhanced by reducing the reabsorption of the UC emission caused by Pd(TCPP) and by optimizing the sensitizer/annihilator interface. KW - Porphyrin KW - Method KW - MOF KW - Fluorescence KW - Dye KW - Sensor KW - Oxygen sensitive KW - Single molecule KW - DPA KW - Lifetime KW - Upconverstion KW - Quantum yield KW - Triplet-triplet annihilation KW - Sensitization KW - Energy transfer KW - NMR PY - 2019 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-500580 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201904945 VL - 26 IS - 5 SP - 1003 EP - 1007 PB - Wiley-VCH Verlag CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-50058 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gorris, H.H. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Perspectives and challenges of photon-upconversion nanoparticles - Part II: Bioanalytical applications JF - Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry N2 - In Part II of this Review series on lanthanide-doped photon-upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), we present and critically discuss the Performance and suitability of UCNPs as background-free luminescent Reporters in bioimaging and bioanalytical applications. The preparation of a biocompatible nanoparticle surface is an integral step for all life - science-related applications. UCNPs have found their way into a large number of diagnostic platforms, homogeneous and heterogeneous assay formats, and sensor applications. Many bioanalytical detection schemes involve Förster resonance energy transfert (FRET), which is still debated for UCNPs and Needs to be much improved. The Need for dedicated and standardized instruments as well as recent studies on the Dissolution and potential toxicity of UCNPs are addressed. Finally we outline future Trends and challenges in the field of upconversion. KW - Fluorescence KW - Lanthanide KW - Upconversion KW - Brightness KW - Quantification KW - Nanoparticle KW - Absolute fluorometry KW - NIR KW - IR KW - Quantum yield KW - Assay KW - Bioconjugation KW - Imaging KW - FRET KW - Sensor PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0482-8 SN - 1618-2650 SN - 1618-2642 VL - 409 IS - 25 SP - 5875 EP - 5890 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-41706 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grabolle, Markus A1 - Ziegler, J. A1 - Merkulov, A. A1 - Nann, T. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Stability and Fluorescence Quantum Yield of CdSe-ZnS Quantum Dots - Influence of the Thickness of the ZnS Shell JF - Annals of the New York academy of sciences N2 - We investigated the correlation between the thickness of the ZnS shell of CdSe–ZnS quantum dots (QDs), the stability of the particles, and the fluorescence quantum yield. As a measure for stability, a new shell quality test was developed. This test is based on the reaction of the QDs with photochemically formed thiophenol radicals and communicates an imperfect ZnS shell by a rapid and complete loss of fluorescence. The quantum yield increases from less than 5% for unshelled CdSe up to 50%, with an increase in ZnS shell thickness up to 0.6–0.8 nm. At the same time, the particles become significantly more stable, as revealed by the shell test. KW - Quantum dot KW - Nanocrystal KW - Semiconductor KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - CdSe KW - CdSe-ZnS KW - Shell KW - ZnS shell KW - Stability KW - Stability test PY - 2008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1430.021 SN - 0077-8923 SN - 1749-6632 SN - 0094-8500 VL - 1130 SP - 235 EP - 241 PB - New York Academy of Sciences CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-17743 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grauel, Bettina A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Homann, C. A1 - Krukewitt, Lisa A1 - Andresen, Elina A1 - Roik, Janina A1 - Recknagel, Sebastian A1 - Haase, M. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Volume and surface effects on two-photonic and three-photonic processes in dry co-doped upconversion nanocrystals JF - NanoResearch N2 - Despite considerable advances in synthesizing high-quality core/shell upconversion (UC) nanocrystals (NC; UCNC) and UCNC photophysics, the application of near-infrared (NIR)-excitable lanthanide-doped UCNC in the life and material sciences is still hampered by the relatively low upconversion luminescence (UCL) of UCNC of small size or thin protecting shell. To obtain deeper insights into energy transfer and surface quenching processes involving Yb3+ and Er3+ ions, we examined energy loss processes in differently sized solid core NaYF4 nanocrystals doped with either Yb3+ (YbNC; 20% Yb3+) or Er3+ (ErNC; 2% Er3+) and co-doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ (YbErNC; 20% Yb3+ and 2% Er3+) without a surface protection shell and coated with a thin and a thick NaYF4 shell in comparison to single and co-doped bulk materials. Luminescence studies at 375 nm excitation demonstrate backenergy transfer (BET) from the 4G11/2 state of Er3+ to the 2F5/2 state of Yb3+, through which the red Er3+ 4F9/2 state is efficiently populated. Excitation power density (P)-dependent steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements at different excitation and emission wavelengths enable to separate surface-related and volume-related effects for two-photonic and threephotonic processes involved in UCL and indicate a different influence of surface passivation on the green and red Er3+ emission. The intensity and lifetime of the latter respond particularly to an increase in volume of the active UCNC core. We provide a threedimensional random walk model to describe these effects that can be used in the future to predict the UCL behavior of UCNC. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Upconversion KW - Nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Pphotophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - Excitation KW - Power density KW - Single particle KW - Brightness KW - NIR KW - Mechanism KW - Modeling KW - Simulation KW - Energy transfer PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-535317 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-021-3727-y SN - 1998-0124 VL - 15 IS - 3 SP - 2362 EP - 2373 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-53531 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hirsch, A. A1 - Lohmann, S.-H. A1 - Strelow, C. A1 - Kipp, T. A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Geißler, Daniel A1 - Komoski, A. A1 - Wolter, C. A1 - Weller, H. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Mews, A. T1 - Fluorescence Quantum Yield and Single-Particle Emission of CdSe JF - Physical Chemistry N2 - The fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of CdSe dot/CdS rod (DR) nanoparticle ensembles is dependent on the Shell growth and excitation wavelength. We analyze the origin of this dependency by comparing the optical properties of DR ensembles to the results obtained in single-particle experiments. On the Ensemble level, we find that the QY of DRs with shell lengths shorter than 40 nm exhibits no dependence on the excitation wavelength, whereas for DRs with shell lengths longer than 50 nm, the QY significantly decreases for excitation above the CdS band gap. Upon excitation in the CdSe core, the ensemble QY, the fluorescence wavelength, and the fluorescence blinking behavior of individual particles are only dependent on the radial CdS shell thickness and not on the CDs shell length. If the photogenerated excitons can reach the CdSe core region, the fluorescence properties will be dependent only on the surface passivation in close vicinity to the CdSe core. The change in QY upon excitation above the band gap of CdS for longer DRs cannot be explained by nonradiative particles because the ratio of emitting DRs is found to be independent of the DR length. We propose a model after which the decrease in QY for longer CdS shells is due to an increasing fraction of nonradiative exciton recombination within the elongated shell. This is supported by an effective-mass-approximation-based calculation, which suggests an optimum length of DRs of about 40 nm, to combine the benefit of high CdS absorption cross section with a high fluorescence QY. KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum dot KW - Photophysics KW - Single particle spectroscopy KW - Mechanism KW - Theory KW - Ensemble measurements KW - Quantum yield KW - CdSe KW - CdS shell PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b07957 VL - 123 IS - 39 SP - 24338 EP - 24346 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-49556 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hodenius, M. A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Jayapaul, J. A1 - Wong, J. E. A1 - Lammers, T. A1 - Gätjens, J. A1 - Arns, S. A1 - Mertens, N. A1 - Slabu, I. A1 - Ivanova, G. A1 - Bornemann, J. A1 - De Cuyper, M. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Kiessling, F. T1 - Fluorescent magnetoliposomes as a platform technology for functional and molecular MR and optical imaging JF - Contrast media & molecular imaging N2 - Here, we present a detailed characterisation of rhodamine B-containing magnetoliposomes (FLU-ML), emphasising the dependence of their fluorescence properties on the presence of iron oxide cores, and the molar fraction of the fluorophore. The magnetoliposome types used exist as colloidally stable, negatively charged clusters with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 95 nm. The molar rhodamine B fractions were 0.67 % and 1.97 %. Rhodamine B normalised fluorescence, quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes were substantially reduced by inner filter effects as the magnetoliposome concentration is increased, by increasing molar rhodamine B fraction, and by quenching originating from the iron oxide cores. MR relaxometry at 3 T revealed extremely high r2 relaxivities (440 to 554 s-1mM-1) and moderately high r1 values (2.06 to 3.59 s-1mM-1). Upon incubating human prostate carcinoma (PC-3) cells with FLU-ML, a dose-dependent particle internalisation was found by MR relaxometry. In addition, the internalised FLU-ML were clearly visible by fluorescence microscopy. At the FLU-ML concentrations used (up to 3 × 103 M Fe) cell viability was not substantially impaired. These results provide valuable insights on the fluorescence properties of bimodal magnetoliposomes and open promising perspectives for the use of these materials as a platform technology for advanced functional and molecular MR and optical imaging applications. KW - Fluorescent magnetoliposomes KW - Steady state and time resolved fluorometry KW - Quantum yield KW - Fluorescence lifetimes KW - MR relaxivities KW - PC-3 cells KW - Cell viability PY - 2012 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/cmmi.467 SN - 1555-4309 SN - 1555-4317 VL - 7 IS - 1 SP - 59 EP - 67 PB - Wiley CY - Chichester AN - OPUS4-25577 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Homann, C. A1 - Krukewitt, Lisa A1 - Frenzel, Florian A1 - Grauel, Bettina A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Haase, M. T1 - NaYF4:Yb,Er/NaYF4 Core/Shell Nanocrystals with High Upconversion Luminescence Quantum Yield JF - Angewandte Chemie - International Edition N2 - Upconversion core/shell nanocrystals with different mean sizes ranging from 15 to 45 nm were prepared via a modified synthesis procedure based on anhydrous rare‐earth acetates. All particles consist of a core of NaYF4:Yb,Er, doped with 18 % Yb3+ and 2 % Er3+, and an inert shell of NaYF4, with the shell thickness being equal to the radius of the core particle. Absolute measurements of the photoluminescence quantum yield at a series of different excitation power densities show that the quantum yield of 45 nm core/shell particles is already very close to the quantum yield of microcrystalline upconversion phosphor powder. Smaller core/shell particles prepared by the same method show only a moderate decrease in quantum yield. The quantum yield of 15 nm core/shell particles, for instance, is reduced by a factor of three compared to the bulk upconversion phosphor at high power densities (100 W cm−2) and by approximately a factor of 10 at low power densities (1 W cm−2). KW - Core shell structure KW - Upconversion KW - Non lienear processes KW - Nanoparticle KW - Quantum yield PY - 2018 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201803083 VL - 57 IS - 28 SP - 8765 EP - 8769 PB - Wiley-VCH AN - OPUS4-45574 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Huang, K. A1 - Liu, H. A1 - Kraft, Marco A1 - Shikha, S. A1 - Zheng, X. A1 - Agren, H. A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Zhang, Y. T1 - A protected excitation-energy reservoir for efficient upconversion luminescence JF - Nanoscale N2 - Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are of great interest for biomedical applications. Currently, the applicability of UCNP bionanotechnology is hampered by the generally low luminescence intensity of UCNPs and inefficient energy Transfer from UCNPs to surface-bound chromophores used e.g. for photodynamic therapy or analyte sensing. In this work, we address the low-Efficiency issue by developing versatile core-Shell nanostructures, where high-concentration sensitizers and activators are confined in the core and Shell Region of representative hexagonal NaYF2:Yb,Er UCNPs. After Doping concentration optimization, the sensitizer-rich core is able to harvest/accumulate more excitation energy and generate almost one order of Magnitude higher luminescence intesity than conventional homogeneously doped nanostructures. At the same time, the activator Ions located in the Shell enable a ~6 times more efficient resonant energy Transfer from UCNPs to surface-bound acceptor dye molecules due to the short distance between donor-acceptor pairs. Our work provides new insights into the rational design of UCNPs and will greatly encrease the General applicability of upconversion nanotechnologies. KW - Fluorescence KW - Lanthanide KW - Upconversion KW - Brightness KW - Quantification KW - Nanoparticle KW - Absolute fluorometry KW - NIR KW - IR KW - Quantum yield KW - Integrating sphere spectroscopy KW - Method KW - Energy transfer KW - Shell KW - Particle architecture PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c7nr06900f SN - 2040-3372 SN - 2040-3364 VL - 10 IS - 1 SP - 250 EP - 259 PB - The Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-43893 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kalmbach, J. A1 - Wang, Cui A1 - You, Yi A1 - Förster, C. A1 - Schubert, H. A1 - Heinze, K. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Seitz, M. T1 - Near-IR to near-IR upconversion luminescence in molecular chromium ytterbium salts JF - Angewandte Chemie - International Edition N2 - Upconversion photoluminescence in hetero-oligonuclear metal complex architectures featuring organic ligands is an interesting but still rarely observed phenomenon, despite its great potential from a basic research and application perspective. In this context, a new photonic material consisting of molecular chromium(III) and ytterbium(III) complex Ions was developed that exhibits excitation-power density-dependent cooperative sensitization of the chromium-centered 2E/2T1 phosphorescence at approximately 775 nm after excitation of the ytterbium band 2F7/2!2F5/2 at approximately 980 nm in the solid state at ambient temperature. The upconversion process is insensitive to atmospheric oxygen and can be observed in the presence of water molecules in the crystal lattice. KW - Upconversion KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - NIR KW - Cr(III) KW - Yb(III) complex KW - Crystal KW - Triplet-triplet annihilation KW - Sensitization KW - Light harvesting PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-512619 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202007200 SN - 1433-7851 SN - 1521-3773 VL - 59 IS - 42 SP - 18804 EP - 18808 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-51261 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kothavale, S. A1 - Jadhav, A. G. A1 - Scholz, Norman A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Behnke, Thomas A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Sekar, N. T1 - Corrigendum to "Deep red emitting triphenylamine based coumarin-rhodamine hybrids with large stokes shift and viscosity sensing: Synthesis, photophysical properties and DFT studies of their spirocyclic and open forms" [Dyes Pigments 137 (2017) 329-341] JF - Dyes and pigments N2 - We designed and synthesized triphenylamine based and coumarin fused rhodamine hybrid dyes and characterized using 1H, 13C NMR and HR-LCMS analysis. Both the newly synthesized hybrid dyes were found to show red shifted absorption as well as emissions and large Stokes shift (40e68 nm) as compared to the small Stokes shift (25e30 nm) of reported dyes Rhodamine B and 101. Photophysical properties of these dyes were studied in different solvents and according to the solvents acidity or basicity they preferred to remain in their spirocyclic or open form in different ratio. We studied the spirocyclic as well as open form derivatives of these dyes for their viscosity sensitivity in three different mixture of solvents i.e. polar-protic [EtOH-PEG 400], polar-aprotic [toluene-PEG 400] and non-polaraprotic [toluene-paraffin]. They are found to show very high viscosity sensitivity in polar-protic mixture of solvents [EtOH-PEG 400] and hence concluded that both polarity as well as viscosity factor worked together for the higher emission enhancement rather than only viscosity factor. As these dyes showed very high viscosity sensitivity in their spirocyclic as well as open form, they can be utilized as viscosity sensors in visible as well as deep red region. We also correlated our experimental finding theoretically by using Density Functional theory computations. KW - Dye KW - Fluorescence KW - Synthesis KW - Quantum yield KW - Lifetime KW - Coumarin KW - Rhodamine KW - Probe KW - Viscosity PY - 2018 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.06.021 SN - 0143-7208 SN - 1873-3743 N1 - Geburtsname von Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya: Nirmalananthan, N. - Birth name of Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya: Nirmalananthan, N. VL - 149 SP - 929 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-44038 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraft, Marco A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Muhr, V. A1 - Hirsch, T. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Explaining the influence of dopant concentration and excitation power density on the luminescence and brightness of beta-NaYF_4:Yb~(3+),Er~(3+) nanoparticles: Measurements and simulations JF - Nano Research 2018 N2 - A systematic study of the luminescence properties of monodisperse β-NaYF4: 20% Yb3+, 2% Er3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with sizes ranging from 12–43 nm is presented utilizing steady-state and time-resolved fluorometry. Special emphasis was dedicated to the absolute quantification of size- and environment-induced quenching of upconversion luminescence (UCL) by highenergy O–H and C–H vibrations from solvent and ligand molecules at different excitation power densities (P). In this context, the still-debated Population pathways of the 4F9/2 energy level of Er3+ were examined. Our results highlight the potential of particle size and P value for color tuning based on the pronounced near-infrared emission of 12 nm UCNPs, which outweighs the red Er3+ emission under “strongly quenched” conditions and accounts for over 50% of total UCL in water. Because current rate equation models do not include such emissions, the suitability of these models for accurately simulating all (de)population pathways of small UCNPs must be critically assessed. Furthermore, we postulate population pathways for the 4F9/2 energy level of Er3+, which correlate with the size-, environment-, and P-dependent quenching states of the higher Er3+ energy levels. KW - Nanoparticle KW - Nanosensor KW - Fluorescence KW - Upconversion KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - NIR KW - Photophysics KW - Lanthanide KW - Size KW - Surface chemistry KW - Quantum yield KW - Mechanism KW - Lifetime KW - Decay kinetics KW - Quenching KW - Diameter KW - Cyclohexane KW - Water PY - 2018 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-018-2159-9 VL - 11/12 SP - 6360 EP - 6374 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-50307 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraft, Marco A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Palo, Emilia A1 - Soukka, Tero A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Colour-optimized quantum yields of Yb, Tm Co-doped upconversion nanocrystals JF - Methods and Applications in Fluorescence N2 - Wepresent here a systematic analysis of the influence of Tm3+ Doping concentrations (xTm) on the excitation power (P)-dependent upconversion luminescence and -performance of hexagonal-Phase NaYF4: 20% Yb3+, xTm%Tm3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for xTm of 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.2, and 2.0, respectively. Our results reveal the influence of these differentTm3+ doping concentrations with respect to optimized upconversion quantum yield (ΦUC) values of the variousTm3+ upconversion emission bands, with the highestΦUC values of theTm3+ emission bands above 700 nmresulting for different xTm values as theTm3+ emission bands below 700 nm. This underlines the potential ofTm3+ dopant concentration for colour tuning. Special emphasis was dedicated to the spectroscopic parameters that can be linked to the (de)population pathways of the variousTm3+ energy levels, like the P- and xTm-dependent slope factors and the intensity ratios of selected emission bands. The evaluation of all parameters indicates that not only energy transfer upconversion-, but also crossrelaxation processes between neighbouringTm3+ ions play a vital role in the (de)population of the excited energy levels of Yb3+, Tm3+ codoped nanocrystals. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Upconversion nanoparticle KW - Lanthanide KW - Photoluminescence KW - Mechanism KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/2050-6120/ab023b SN - 2050-6120 VL - 7 IS - 2 SP - 024001, 1 EP - 6 PB - IOP AN - OPUS4-47420 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kromer, Ch. A1 - Schwibbert, K. A1 - Gadicherla, A. K. A1 - Thiele, D. A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Laux, P. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Luch, A. A1 - Tschiche, H. R. T1 - Monitoring and imaging pH in biofilms utilizing a fluorescent polymeric nanosensor JF - Scientific reports N2 - Biofilms are ubiquitous in nature and in the man-made environment. Given their harmful effects on human health, an in-depth understanding of biofilms and the monitoring of their formation and growth are important. Particularly relevant for many metabolic processes and survival strategies of biofilms is their extracellular pH. However, most conventional techniques are not suited for minimally invasive pH measurements of living biofilms. Here, a fluorescent nanosensor is presented for ratiometric measurements of pH in biofilms in the range of pH 4.5–9.5 using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The nanosensor consists of biocompatible polystyrene nanoparticles loaded with pH-inert dye Nile Red and is surface functionalized with a pH-responsive fluorescein dye. Its performance was validated by fluorometrically monitoring the time-dependent changes in pH in E. coli biofilms after glucose inoculation at 37 °C and 4 °C. This revealed a temperature-dependent decrease in pH over a 4-h period caused by the acidifying glucose metabolism of E. coli. These studies demonstrate the applicability of this nanosensor to characterize the chemical microenvironment in biofilms with fluorescence methods. KW - Dye KW - Fluorescence KW - Signal enhancement KW - Sensor KW - Quantum yield KW - Synthesis KW - Nanoparticle KW - Nano KW - Polymer KW - Ph KW - Biofilm KW - MIC KW - Corrosion KW - Microorganism KW - Bacteria PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-550751 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-13518-1 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 12 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Nature Publishing Group CY - London AN - OPUS4-55075 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Le Guevel, X. A1 - Wegner, Karl David A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Baulin, V. A. A1 - Musnier, B. A1 - Josserand, V. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Koll, J-C T1 - Tailoring the SWIR emission of gold nanoclusters by surface ligand rigidification and their application in 3D bioimaging JF - Chemical Communications N2 - The influence of solvent polarity and surface ligand rigidification on the SWIR emission profile of gold nanoclusters with an anistropic surface was investigated. A strong enhancement of the SWIR emission band at 1200 nm was observed when measuring in different local environments: in solution, in polymer composites, and in solids. SWIR in vivo imaging of mice assisted by deep learning after intravenous administration of these gold nanoclusters provides high definition pseudo-3D views of vascular blood vessels. KW - Nano KW - Nanomaterial KW - Metal cluster KW - Photoluminescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - NIR KW - SWIR KW - Ligand KW - Gold KW - Mechanism KW - Charge transfer KW - Enhancement strategy KW - Imaging KW - Application KW - Contrast agent PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-543582 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06737K VL - 58 IS - 18 SP - 2967 EP - 2970 PB - RSC AN - OPUS4-54358 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - López-Iglesias, C. A1 - Markovina, A. A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, N. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Klinger, D. T1 - Optically monitoring the microenvironment of a hydrophobic cargo in amphiphilic nanogels: influence of network composition on loading and release JF - Nanoscale N2 - Amphiphilic nanogels (ANGs) are promising carriers for hydrophobic cargos such as drugs, dyes, and catalysts. Loading content and release kinetics of these compounds are controlled by type and number of hydrophobic groups in the amphiphilic copolymer network. Thus, understanding the interactions between cargo and colloidal carrier is mandatory for a tailor-made and cargo-specific ANG design. To systematically explore the influence of the network composition on these interactions, we prepared a set of ANGs of different amphiphilicity and loaded these ANGs with varying concentrations of the solvatochromic dye Nile Red (NR). Here, NR acts as a hydrophobic model cargo to optically probe the polarity of its microenvironment. Analysis of the NR emission spectra as well as measurements of the fluorescence quantum yields and decay kinetics revealed a decrease in the polarity of the NR microenvironment with increasing hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic groups in the ANG network and dye–dye interactions at higher loading concentrations. At low NR concentrations, the hydrophobic cargo NR is encapsulated in the hydrophobic domains. Increasing NR concentrations resulted in probe molecules located in a more hydrophilic environment, i.e., at the nanodomain border, and favored dye–dye interactions and NR aggregation. These results correlate well with release experiments, indicating first NR release from more hydrophilic network locations. Overall, our findings demonstrate the importance to understand carrier–drug interactions for efficient loading and controlled release profiles in amphiphilic nanogels. KW - Particle KW - Energy transfer KW - Limit of detection KW - Polymer KW - Luminescence KW - Quantitative spectroscopy KW - Nano KW - Quantum yield KW - Lifetime KW - Quality assurance KW - Dye KW - Probe KW - Sensor KW - Nile Red PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-601603 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d4nr00051j SN - 2040-3364 IS - 16 SP - 9525 EP - 9535 PB - The Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-60160 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Maisuls, I. A1 - Wang, Cui A1 - Gutierrez Suburu, M. E. A1 - Wilde, S. A1 - Daniliuc, C.-G. A1 - Brunink, D. A1 - Doltsinis, N. L. A1 - Ostendorp, S. A1 - Kösters, J. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Strassert, C. A. T1 - Ligand-controlled and nanoconfinement-boosted luminescence employing Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes: from color-tunable aggregation-enhanced dual emitters towards self-referenced oxygen reporters JF - Chemical Science N2 - In this work, we describe the synthesis, structural and photophysical characterization of four novel Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes bearing tetradentate luminophoric ligands with high photoluminescence quantum yields (FL) and long excited state lifetimes (s) at room temperature, where the results were interpreted by means of DFT calculations. Incorporation of fluorine atoms into the tetradentate ligand favors aggregation and thereby, a shortened average distance between the metal centers, which provides accessibility to metal–metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MMLCT) excimers acting as red-shifted Energy traps if compared with the monomeric entities. This supramolecular approach provides an elegant way to enable room-temperature phosphorescence from Pd(II) complexes, which are otherwise quenched by a thermal population of dissociative states due to a lower ligand field splitting. Encapsulation of These complexes in 100 nm-sized aminated polystyrene nanoparticles enables concentration-controlled aggregation-enhanced dual emission. This phenomenon facilitates the tunability of the absorption and emission colors while providing a rigidified environment supporting an enhanced FL up to about 80% and extended s exceeding 100 ms. Additionally, these nanoarrays constitute rare examples for selfreferenced oxygen reporters, since the phosphorescence of the aggregates is insensitive to external influences, whereas the monomeric species drop in luminescence lifetime and intensity with increasing triplet molecular dioxygen concentrations (diffusion-controlled quenching). KW - Fluorescence KW - Multiplexing KW - Lifetime KW - Bead KW - Particle KW - Dye KW - Barcoding KW - Encoding KW - Quantum yield KW - Label KW - Reporter KW - Pd(II) KW - Pt(II) KW - Complex KW - NMR KW - X-ray KW - Sythesis KW - Aggregation KW - Monomer KW - Color PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-525288 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d0sc06126c VL - 12 IS - 9 SP - 3270 EP - 3281 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-52528 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Martynenko, Irina A1 - Litvin, A.P. A1 - Purcell-Milton, F. A1 - Baranov, A. V. A1 - Fedorov, A.V. A1 - Gun´ko, Y.K. T1 - Application of semiconductor quantum dots in bioimaging and biosensing JF - Journal of Materials Chemistry B N2 - In this review we present new concepts and recent progress in the application of semiconductur quantum dots (QD) as labels in two important areas of biology, bioimaging and biosensing. We analyze the biologically relevant properties of QDs focusing on the following topics: QD surface treatment and stability labeling of cellular structures and receptors with QDs, incorporation of QDs in living cells, cytotoxicity of QDs and influence of the biolocical environment on the biological and optical properties of QDs. Initially, we consider utilization of QDs as agants in high-resolution bioimaging techniques that can provide information at the molecular levels. The deverse range of modern live-cell QD-based imaging techniques with resolution far beyond the diffraction limit of light is examined. In each technique, we discuss the pros and cons of QD use and deliberate how QDs can be further engineered to facilitate their application in the respective imaging techniques and to produce significant improvements in resolution. Then we review QD-based point-of-care bioassays, bioprobes, and biosensors designed in different formats ranging from analytic biochemistry assays and ELISA, to novel point-of-care smartphone integrated QD-based biotests. Here, a wide range of QD-based fluorescence bioassays with optical transduction, electrochemiluminescence and photoelectrochemical assays are discussedc. Finally, this review provides an analysis of the prospects of application of QDs in selected important Areas of biology. KW - Fluorescence KW - Semiconductor quantum dot KW - Imaging KW - Quantification KW - Nanoparticle KW - NIR KW - IR KW - Quantum yield KW - Method KW - Microscopy KW - Assay KW - Bioconjugate PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c7tb01425b VL - 5 IS - 33 SP - 6701 EP - 6727 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-43027 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mathejczyk, J. A1 - Pauli, Jutta A1 - Dullin, C. A1 - Napp, J. A1 - Tietze, L.-F. A1 - Kessler, H. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Alves, F. T1 - Spectroscopically well-characterized RGD optical probe as a prerequisite for lifetime-gated tumor imaging JF - Molecular imaging N2 - Labeling of RGD peptides with near-infrared fluorophores yields optical probes for noninvasive imaging of tumors overexpressing ανβ3 integrins. An important prerequisite for optimum detection sensitivity in vivo is strongly absorbing and highly emissive probes with a known fluorescence lifetime. The RGD-Cy5.5 optical probe was derived by coupling Cy5.5 to a cyclic arginine–glycine–aspartic acid–D-phenylalanine–lysine (RGDfK) peptide via an aminohexanoic acid spacer. Spectroscopic properties of the probe were studied in different matrices in comparison to Cy5.5. For in vivo imaging, human glioblastoma cells were subcutaneously implanted into nude mice, and in vivo fluorescence intensity and lifetime were measured. The fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime of Cy5.5 were found to be barely affected on RGD conjugation but dramatically changed in the presence of proteins. By time domain fluorescence imaging, we demonstrated specific binding of RGD-Cy5.5 to glioblastoma xenografts in nude mice. Discrimination of unspecific fluorescence by lifetime-gated analysis further enhanced the detection sensitivity of RGD-Cy5.5-derived signals. We characterized RGD-Cy5.5 as a strongly emissive and stable probe adequate for selective targeting of ανβ3 integrins. The specificity and thus the overall detection sensitivity in vivo were optimized with lifetime gating, based on the previous determination of the probés fluorescence lifetime under application-relevant conditions. KW - Time domain near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging KW - Fluorescence KW - Lifetime KW - Quantum yield KW - RGD-Cy5.5 KW - Spectroscopic analysis PY - 2011 DO - https://doi.org/10.2310/7290.2011.00018 SN - 1535-3508 SN - 1536-0121 VL - 10 IS - 6 SP - 469 EP - 480 PB - Decker CY - Hamilton, Ont. AN - OPUS4-25711 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Meiling, T. A1 - Cywinski, P. A1 - Bald, Ilko T1 - White carbon: Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles with tunable quantum yield in a reproducible green synthesis JF - Scientific Reports N2 - In this study, a new reliable, economic, and environmentally-friendly one-step synthesis is established to obtain carbon nanodots (CNDs) with well-defined and reproducible photoluminescence (PL) properties via the microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment of starch and Tris-acetate-EDTA (TAE) buffer as carbon sources. Three kinds of CNDs are prepared using different sets of above mentioned starting materials. The as-synthesized CNDs: C-CND (starch only), N-CND 1 (starch in TAE) and N-CND 2 (TAE only) exhibit highly homogenous PL and are ready to use without need for further purification. The CNDs are stable over a long period of time (>1 year) either in solution or as freeze-dried powder. Depending on starting material, CNDs with PL quantum yield (PLQY) ranging from less than 1% up to 28% are obtained. The influence of the precursor concentration, reaction time and type of additives on the optical properties (UV-Vis absorption, PL emission spectrum and PLQY) is carefully investigated, providing insight into the chemical processes that occur during CND formation. Remarkably, upon freeze-drying the initially brown CND-solution turns into a non-fluorescent white/slightly Brown powder which recovers PL in aqueous solution and can potentially be applied as fluorescent marker in bio-imaging, as a reduction agent or as a photocatalyst. KW - Carbon dots KW - Quantum yield KW - Fluorescence KW - Nanoparticles PY - 2016 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-367204 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/srep28557 VL - 6 SP - Article 28557, 1 EP - 9 PB - Nature Publishing Group AN - OPUS4-36720 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Meng, M. A1 - Zhang, T. A1 - Wang, J. A1 - Cheng, Z. A1 - Yang, J. A1 - Qiao, X. A1 - Wen, J. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Ou, J. T1 - Fluorescence temperature sensing of NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaGdF4:Nd3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles at low and high temperatures JF - Nanotechnology N2 - NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaGdF4:Nd3+/Yb3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were prepared using a solvothermal method, and the effects of key factors such as the content of sensitiser Nd 3+ and Yb3+ on their luminescence properties were investigated. The nanoparticles are homogeneous in size and well dispersed. Under 808 nm excitation, it can produce strong upconversion fluorescence. At the same time, the nanoparticles have good temperature-sensing properties at the thermally coupled energy levels of 700 nm and 646 nm for Tm3+. Using its fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR), accurate temperature measurements can be performed, and it has been found that it exhibits different temperature sensing properties in low and high-temperature regions. The maximum relative sensitivity was found to be 0.88% K-1 and 1.89% K-1 for the lowtemperature region of 285 K-345 K and the high-temperature region of 345 K-495 K. The nanoparticles were applied to the internal temperature measurement of lithium batteries and the actual high-temperature environment, respectively, and were found to have good temperature measurementt performance. KW - Fluorescence KW - Sensor KW - Temperature KW - Ratiometric KW - Lanthanide KW - Quantum yield KW - Integrating sphere spectroscopy KW - Absolute fluorescence KW - Quality assurance KW - Nano KW - Particle KW - Application KW - Upconversion nanoparticle PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ac84e4 SN - 1361-6528 VL - 33 IS - 34 SP - 1 EP - 15 PB - IOP Publishing CY - Bristol AN - OPUS4-55454 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Meyerhofer, F. A1 - Dissinger, F. A1 - Weigert, Florian A1 - Jungclaus, J. A1 - Müller-Caspary, K. A1 - Waldvogel, S. R. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Voss, T. T1 - Citric Acid Based Carbon Dots with Amine Type Stabilizers: pHSpecific JF - ACS Publications N2 - We report the synthesis and spectroscopic characteristics of two different sets of carbon dots (CDs) formed by hydrothermal reaction between citric acid and polyethylenimine (PEI) or 2,3-diaminopyridine (DAP). Although the formation of amide-based species and the presence of citrazinic acid type derivates assumed to be responsible for a blue emission is confirmed for both CDs by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, a higher abundance of sp2-hybridized nitrogen is observed for DAP-based CDs, which causes a red-shift of the n-π* absorption band relative to the one of PEI-based CDs. These CD Systems possess high photoluminescence quantum yields (QY) of ∼40% and ∼48% at neutral pH, demonstrating a possible tuning of the optical properties by the amine precursor. pH-Dependent spectroscopic studies revealed a drop in QY to < 9% (pH ∼ 1) and < 21% (pH ∼ 12) for both types of CDs under acidic and basic conditions. In contrast, significant differences in the pHdependency of the n-π* transitions are found for both CD types which are ascribed to different (de)protonation sequences of the CD-specific fluorophores and functional groups using Zeta potential analysis. KW - Fluorescence KW - Particle KW - Nano KW - Surface group analysis KW - Carbon dot KW - C-dot KW - Fluorescent probe KW - Quantum yield KW - Synthesis KW - IR KW - MS KW - Polymer KW - Ligand PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b11732 VL - 124 IS - 16 SP - 8894 EP - 8904 PB - American Chemical Society AN - OPUS4-50813 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nirmalananthan-Budau, Nithiya A1 - Budau, J. H. A1 - Moldenhauer, Daniel A1 - Hermann, G. A1 - Kraus, Werner A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Paulus, Beate A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Substitution pattern controlled aggregation-induced emission in donor-acceptor-donor dyes with one and two propeller-like triphenylamine donors JF - Royal Society of Chemistry N2 - We present a comparative study of the spectroscopic properties of the donor–acceptor–donor substituted dyes triphenylamine-allylidenemalononitrile-julolidine (TMJ) and triphenylamine-allylidenemalononitriletriphenylamine (TMT), bearing one and two propeller-like triphenylamine donor moieties, in solvents of varying polarity and viscosity and in the aggregated and solid state. Our results reveal control of the aggregation-induced spectroscopic changes and the packing motifs of the dye molecules in the solid state by the chemical nature and structure of the second nitrogen-containing donor, i.e., a planar and a rigid julolidine or a twisted triphenyl group. Assuming that the TMT and TMJ aggregates show a comparable arrangement of the molecules to the respective crystals, these different molecular interactions in the solid state are responsible for aggregation induced emission (AIE) in the case of TMT and its absence for TMJ. Moreover, a versatile strategy for the fluorescence enhancement of only weakly emissive AIE dyes is shown, turning these dyes into bright nanoscale fluorescent reporters by using them as stains for preformed polymer particles. KW - Nano KW - Nanoparticle KW - Photoluminescence KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Photophysics KW - Lifetime KW - Sensor KW - Dye KW - Enhancement KW - Particle KW - Polarity KW - AIE KW - Aggregation KW - Aggregation-induced emission KW - Solid state emission PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d0cp00413h VL - 22 IS - 25 SP - 14142 EP - 14154 AN - OPUS4-50967 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Oskolkova, Tatiana O. A1 - Matiushkina, Anna A. A1 - Borodina, Lyubov' N. A1 - Smirnova, Ekaterina S. A1 - Dadadzhanova, Antonina I. A1 - Sewid, Fayza A. A1 - Veniaminov, Andrey V. A1 - Moiseeva, Ekaterina O. A1 - Orlova, Anna O. T1 - FRET‐Amplified Singlet Oxygen Generation by Nanocomposites Comprising Ternary AgInS2/ZnS Quantum Dots and Molecular Photosensitizers JF - ChemNanoMat N2 - Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (a‐PDT) has emerged as a promising non‐invasive therapeutic modality that utilizes the combination of a photosensitive agent, molecular oxygen, and excitation light to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), demonstrating remarkable activity against multidrug‐resistant bacterial infections. However, the effective use of conventional photosensitizers is significantly limited by a number of their shortcomings, namely, poor water solubility and low selectivity. Herein, we present a novel biocompatible water‐soluble nanocomposite based on hydrophobic tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) molecules and hydrophilic ternary AgInS2/ZnS quantum dots incorporated into a chitosan matrix as an improved photosensitizer for a‐PDT. We demonstrated that TPP molecules could be successfully transferred into chitosan solution while remaining primarily in the form of monomers, which are capable of singlet oxygen generation. We performed a detailed analysis of the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between quantum dots and TPP molecules within the nanocomposite and proposed the mechanism of the singlet oxygen efficiency enhancement via FRET. KW - Nano KW - Particle KW - Quantum dot KW - Fluorescence KW - Synthesis KW - Optical spectroscopy KW - Energy transfer KW - Quality assurance KW - Lifetime KW - Quantum yield PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/cnma.202300469 SN - 2199-692X VL - 10 IS - 3 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Wiley AN - OPUS4-59728 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Otto, S. A1 - Förster, C. A1 - Wang, Cui A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Heinze, K. T1 - A Strongly Luminescent Chromium(III) ComplexAcid JF - GDCh N2 - The synthesis, structure, reactivity,and photophysical properties of anovel acidic,luminescentchromium(III) complex [Cr(H2tpda)2]3+ (23+ +)bearing the tridentate H2tpda (2,6-bis(2-pyridylamino)pyridine) ligand are presented. Excitation of 23+ + at 442 nm results in strong, long-lived NIR luminescence at 782 nm in water and in acetonitrile. X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectroscopy revealhydrogen-bonding interactions of the counter ions to the NH groups of 23+ + in the solidstate. Deprotonation of the NH groups of 23+ + by using anon-nucleophilic Schwesinger base in CH3CN switches off the luminescence. Re-protonation by using HClO4 restores the emission. In water,the pKa value of 23+ + amountsto8 .8, yet deprotonation is not reversible in the presence of hydroxide ions. Dioxygen quenches the emission of 23+ +,but to aweaker extent than expected. This is possibly due to the strong ion-pairing properties of 23+ + even in solution, reducing the energy transfer efficiency to O2.Deuteration of the NH groups of 23+ + approximately doubles the quantum yield and lifetime in water,demonstrating the importance of multiphoton relaxation in these NIR emitters. KW - Cr(III) complex KW - Oxygen sensor KW - pH sensor KW - Luminescence KW - Luminescence lifetime KW - Quantum yield KW - NIR emitter PY - 2018 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201802797 SN - 0947-6539 VL - 24 IS - 48 SP - 12555 EP - 12563 PB - Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-45929 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Özelci, Ersan A1 - Rühle, Bastian A1 - Weigert, Florian A1 - Lubotzky, B. A1 - Kewes, G. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Benson, O. T1 - Quantitative measurements of the pH-sensitive quantum yield of fluorophores in mesoporous silica thin films using a drexhage-type experiment JF - The Journal of Physical Chemistry C N2 - The photoluminescence quantum yield characterizes the performance of emitters for applications in optical devices, as reporters or probes in material and analytical sciences, and for sensing applications. Quantum yield measurements are challenging for luminescent molecules and nanocrystals immobilized in thin films for many sensor applications, particularly if spatially resolved quantitative luminescence information is desired. We show here that a Drexhage-type experiment, where a silver-coated millimeter-sized sphere is used to modify the local density of states, can provide an elegant approach to counter this challenge. As a representative example of the potential of this method, we measure the pH-dependent photoluminescence quantum yield of fluorescein isothiocyanate bound to a thin mesoporous silica film. The results were compared with those of the studies on the pH dependence of the same dye in solution. We found that our approach can link single fluorophore studies to ensemble measurements and pave the way for the spatially resolved fluorescence measurements of ultralow concentrations of emitters utilized as optically active elements and reporters in thin sensor films or incorporated into membranes. KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Method KW - pH KW - Dye KW - Sensor KW - Fluorescein KW - Film KW - Silica KW - Single molecule KW - Lifetime KW - Absolute quantum yield PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b03917 SN - 1932-7447 SN - 1932-7455 VL - 123 IS - 33 SP - 20468 EP - 20475 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-48984 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pauli, J. A1 - Güttler, Arne A1 - Schneider, T. A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Fluorescence Quantum Yield Standards for the UV/Visible/NIR: Development, Traceable Characterization, and Certification JF - Analytical chemistry N2 - The rational design of next generation molecular and nanoscale reporters and the comparison of different emitter classes require the determination of the fluorometric key performance parameter fluorescence quantum yield (Φf), i.e., the number of emitted photons per number of absorbed photons. Main prerequisites for reliable Φf measurements, which are for transparent luminophore solutions commonly done relative to a reference, i.e., a fluorescence quantum yield standard of known Φf, are reliable and validated instrument calibration procedures to consider wavelength-, polarization-, and time-dependent instrument specific signal contributions, and sufficiently well characterized fluorescence quantum yield standards. As the standard’s Φf value directly contributes to the calculation of the sample’s Φf, its accuracy presents one of the main sources of uncertainty of relative Φf measurements. To close this gap, we developed a first set of 12 fluorescence quantum yield standards, which absorb and emit in the wavelength region of 330−1000 nm and absolutely determined their Φf values with two independently calibrated integrating sphere setups. Criteria for standard selection and the configuration of these novel fluorescence reference materials are given, and the certification procedure is presented including homogeneity and stability studies and the calculation of complete uncertainty budgets for the certified Φf values. The ultimate goal is to provide the community of fluorescence users with available reference materials as a basis for an improved comparability and reliability of quantum yield data since the measurement of this spectroscopic key property is an essential part of the characterization of any new emitter. KW - Optical spectroscopy KW - Traceability KW - Reference product KW - Dye KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - Reference material KW - Reference data KW - Certification KW - Quality assurance PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05530 VL - 95 SP - 5671 EP - 5677 PB - American Chemical Society AN - OPUS4-58151 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pauli, Jutta A1 - Brehm, Robert A1 - Spieles, Monika A1 - Kaiser, W.A. A1 - Hilger, I. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Novel fluorophores as building blocks for optical probes for in vivo near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging JF - Journal of fluorescence N2 - Aiming at the identification of new fluorescent reporters for targeted optical probes, we assessed the application-relevant features of a novel asymmetric cyanine, DY-681, in comparison to the only clinically approved dye indocyanine green (ICG), the golden imaging standard Cy5.5, and the asymmetric cyanine DY-676 successfully exploited by us for the design of different contrast agents. This comparison included the analysis of the spectroscopic properties of the free fluorophores and their thermal stability in aqueous solution as well as their cytotoxic potential. In addition, the absorption and emission features of IgG-conjugated DY-681 were examined. The trimethine DY-681 exhibited spectral features closely resembling that of the pentamethine Cy5.5. Its high thermal stability in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution in conjunction with its low cytotoxicity, reaching similar values as determined for Cy5.5 and DY-676, renders this dye more attractive as ICG and, due to its improved fluorescence quantum yield in PBS, also superior to DY-676. Although in PBS, Cy5.5 was still more fluorescent, the fluorescence quantum yields (Φf) of DY-681 and Cy5.5 in PBS containing 5 mass-% bovine serum albumin (BSA) were comparable. Labeling experiments with DY-681 and the model antibody IgG revealed promisingly high Φf values of the bioconjugated dye. KW - Fluorescence KW - Cyanine dye KW - Cytotoxicity KW - Stability KW - In vivo fluorescence imaging KW - Quantum yield KW - Contrast agent KW - Optical probe PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-010-0603-7 SN - 1053-0509 SN - 1573-4994 VL - 20 IS - 3 SP - 681 EP - 693 PB - Plenum Publ. Corp. CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-21401 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pauli, Jutta A1 - Ramírez, A. A1 - Crasselt, C. A1 - Schmidt, W. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Utilizing optical spectroscopy and 2',7'-difluorofluorescein to characterize the early stages of cement hydration JF - Methods and Applications in Fluorescence N2 - The increasingly sophisticated nature of modern, more environmentally friendly cementitious binders requires a better understanding and control particularly of the complex, dynamic processes involved in the early phase of cement hydration. In-situ monitoring of properties of a constantly changing system over a defined period of time calls for simple, sensitive, fast, and preferably also non-invasive methods like optical spectroscopy KW - Flourescence KW - Optical probe KW - Sensor KW - Dye KW - Flourescin KW - Photophysics KW - PH KW - Quantum yield KW - Quality assurance KW - Mechanism KW - Cement KW - Concrete KW - Building material KW - Hydration KW - Process monitoring PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-537176 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/2050-6120/ac2da0 SN - 2050-6120 VL - 10 IS - 1 SP - 2 EP - 13 PB - IOP Science AN - OPUS4-53717 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pauli, Jutta A1 - Wycisk, V. A1 - Welker, P. A1 - Justies, A. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Haag, R. A1 - Licha, K. T1 - Glycerol-Based Contrast Agents: A Novel Series of Dendronized Pentamethine Dyes JF - Bioconjugate Chemistry N2 - The synthesis of water-soluble dyes, which absorb and emit in the range between 650 and 950 nm and display high extinction coefficients (ε) as well as high fluorescence quantum yields (Φf), is still a demand for optical imaging. We now present a synthetic route for the preparation of a new group of glycerol-substituted cyanine dyes from dendronized indole precursors that have been functionalized as Nhydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters. High Φf values of up to 0.15 and extinction coefficients of up to 189 000 L mol−1 cm−1 were obtained for the pure dyes. Furthermore, conjugates of the new dendronized dyes with the antibody cetuximab (ctx) that were directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of tumor cells could be prepared with dye to protein ratios between 0.3 and 2.2 to assess their potential as imaging probes. For the first time, ctx conjugates could be achieved without showing a decrease in Φf and with an increasing labeling degree that exceeded the value of the pure dye even at a labeling degree above 2. The incorporation of hydrophilically and sterically demanding dendrimers into cyanines prevented dimer formation after covalent conjugation to the antibody. The binding functionality of the resulting ctx conjugates to the EGFR was successfully demonstrated by cell microscopy studies using EGFR expressing cell lines. In summary, the combination of hydrophilic glycerol dendrons with reactive dye labels has been established for the first time and is a promising Approach toward more powerful fluorescent labels with less dimerization. KW - Dye KW - Quantum yield KW - Fluorescence KW - Contrast agent KW - Extinction coefficient PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00097 SN - 1043-1802 VL - 26 SP - 773 EP - 781 PB - ACS Publications CY - Washington AN - OPUS4-38880 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pellegrino, F. A1 - Pellutiè, L. A1 - Sordello, F. A1 - Minero, C. A1 - Ortel, Erik A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Maurino, V. T1 - Influence of agglomeration and aggregation on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles JF - Applied Catalysis B: Environmental N2 - Particle aggregation and agglomeration influence the optical properties of materials and therefore theirability to absorb and scatter the incoming radiation, also affecting their photocatalytic activity. Wehave studied the correlation between aggregation and photocatalytic activity for titanium dioxide bymeans of experimental measurements of extinction and photocatalytic activity and calculations of theiroptical properties (extinction, absorption and scattering cross-sections). This approach can be adoptedto quantitatively assess the quantum yields of the heterogeneous photocatalytic systems. The study wasperformed on TiO2PC105 Cristal ACTiVTM, made of aggregated (and agglomerated) primary particles of anatase. The size of the aggregates has been reduced with ultra-sonication. Aqueous suspensions of the obtained materials were characterized by measuring the optical properties (UV–vis extinction), the sizing properties (DLS) and the photocatalytic activity (degradation of phenol under standard con-ditions). The extinction and absorption spectra of the suspensions were derived from the calculatedcoefficients, considering also the size distributions measured with DLS, and revealed that light absorptionis maximized when particle aggregation and agglomeration are avoided, while diffusion of the incomingradiation dominates when large aggregates and agglomerates are present. The present paper represents a valuable approach to the accurate and reproducible measurement of the photocatalytic activity ofTiO2nanoparticles suspensions, thus allowing a more reliable comparison of the properties of different materials. KW - Titanium dioxide KW - Nanoparticles KW - Agglomeration/aggregation KW - Photocatalysis KW - Quantum yield PY - 2017 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.05.046 SN - 0926-3373 SN - 1873-3883 VL - 216 SP - 80 EP - 87 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-40477 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -