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Heterogeneous Oxysulfide@Fluoride Core/ Shell Nanocrystals for Upconversion-Based Nanothermometry
(2022)
Lanthanide (Ln3+)-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) often suffer from weak luminescence, especially when their sizes are ultrasmall (less than 10 nm). Enhancing the upconversion luminescence (UCL) efficiency of ultrasmall UCNPs has remained a challenge that must be undertaken if any practical applications are to be envisaged. Herein, we present a Ln3+-doped oxysulfide@fluoride core/shell heterostructure which shows efficient UCL properties under 980nm excitation and good stability in solution. Through epitaxial heterogeneous growth, a ∼4 nm optically inert β-NaYF4 shell was coated onto ∼5 nm ultrasmall Gd2O2S:20%Yb,1%Tm. These Gd2O2S:20%Yb,1%Tm@NaYF4 core/shell UCNPs exhibit a more than 800-fold increase in UCL intensity compared to the unprotected core, a 180-fold increase in luminescence decay time of the 3H4 → 3H6 Tm3+ transition from 5 to 900 μs, and an upconversion quantum yield (UCQY) of 0.76% at an excitation power density of 155 W/cm2. Likewise, Gd2O2S:20%Yb,2%Er@NaYF4 core/shell UCNPs show a nearly 5000-fold
increase of their UCL intensity compared to the Gd2O2S:20%Yb,2%Er core and a maximum UCQY of 0.61%. In the Yb/Er core−shell UCNP system, the observed variation of luminescence intensity ratio seems to originate from a change in lattice strain as the temperature is elevated. For nanothermometry applications, the thermal sensitivities based on thermally coupled levels are estimated for both Yb/Tm and Yb/Er doped Gd2O2S@NaYF4 core/shell UCNPs.
Light-induced NO release based on exogenous NO donors has attracted substantial attention in clinical applications; the induction light source usually converts near-infrared light to blue or ultraviolet light.
However, the low efficiency of near-infrared light-assisted chemical light energy conversion remains a challenge, especially for NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ photoconverting near-infrared light to ultraviolet (UV) and blue light. In this paper, a luminescence-enhanced strategy is reported by doping Ca2+ into NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ and coating it with NaGdF4 through a two-step solvothermal method. Then, UCNPs modified with methyl-b-cyclodextrin (M-b-CD) are loaded on a ruthenium nitrosyl complex [(3)Ru(NO)(Cl)] as nitric oxide release-molecules (NORMs). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) data demonstrated that Ca2+ was successfully doped into NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ nanoparticles as the core, and a pure hexagonal phase, NaYF4, was obtained from the doping of Ca2+. TEM revealed that the crystallinity was significantly improved after Ca2+ doping, and the core–shell structure was successfully synthesized, with NaGdF4 directionally grown on the NaYF4:Ca/Yb/Tm core. Fluorescence tests showed that, especially in the ultraviolet and blue light excitation wavelength regions, the UC emission intensity of the Ca-doped NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaGdF4 core–shell UCNPs increased by 302.95 times vs. NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ UCNPs. Finally, the release of NO was tested by the Griess method. Under 980 nm irradiation, the cell viability distinctly decreased with increasing UCNPs@M-b-CD-NORMs concentration. This study Shows that NORM release of NO is triggered by enhanced up-converted UV and blue light, which can be used for the development of UV photo-sensitive drugs.
The optical properties of these materials strongly depend on the excitation power density, i.e., the number of photons absorbed per time interval. The upconversion quantum efficiencies (ΦUC) of these materials, the excitation power dependent population i.e. the emission characteristics, and the deactivation dynamics are influenced by nanoparticle architecture, doping concentration, and the microenvironment. We will discuss how time resolved measurements can help to understand the fundamental photophysical mechanisms and discuss differences to other nanocrystals like quantum dots.
Yb,Nd,Er-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable interest as luminescent reporters for bioimaging, sensing, energy conversion/shaping, and anticounterfeiting due to their capability to convert multiple near-infrared (NIR) photons into shorter wavelength ultraviolet, visible or NIR luminescence by successive absorption of two or more NIR photons. This enables optical measurements in complex media with very little background and high penetration depths for bioimaging. The use of Nd3+ as substitute for the commonly employed sensitizer Yb3+ or in combination with Yb3+ shifts the excitation wavelength from about 980 nm, where the absorption of water can weaken upconversion luminescence, to about 800 nm, and laser-induced local overheating effects in cells, tissue, and live animal studies can be minimized. To systematically investigate the potential of Nd3+ doping, we assessed the performance of a set of similarly sized Yb3+,Nd3+,Er3+-doped core- and core–shell UCNPs of different particle architecture in water at broadly varied excitation power densities (P) with steady state and time-resolved fluorometry for excitation at 980 nm and 808 nm. As a measure for UCNPs performance, the P-dependent upconversion quantum yield (Φ) and its saturation behavior were used as well as particle brightness (B). Based upon spectroscopic measurements at both excitation wavelengths in water and in a lipid phantom and B-based calculations of signal size at different penetration depths, conditions under which excitation at 808 nm is advantageous are derived and parameters for the further optimization of triple-doped UCNPs are given.
Single particle imaging of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) has typically been realized using hexagonal (β) phase lanthanide-doped sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4) materials, the upconversion luminescence (UCL) of which saturates at power densities (P) of several hundred W cm−2 under 980 nm nearinfrared (NIR) excitation. Cubic (α) phase UCNPs have been mostly neglected because of their commonly observed lower UCL efficiency at comparable P in ensemble level studies. Here, we describe a set of sub-15 nm ytterbium-enriched α-NaYbF4:Er3+@CaF2 core/shell UCNPs doped with varying Er3+ concentrations (5–25%), studied over a wide P range of ∼8–105 W cm−2, which emit intense UCL even at a low P of 10 W cm−2 and also saturate at relatively low P. The highest upconversion quantum yield (ΦUC) and the highest particle brightness were obtained for an Er3+ dopant concentration of 12%, reaching the highest ΦUC of 0.77% at a saturation power density (Psat) of 110 W cm−2. These 12%Er3+-doped core/shell UCNPs were also the brightest UCNPs among this series under microscopic conditions at high P of ∼102–105 W cm−2 as demonstrated by imaging studies at the single particle level. Our results underline the potential applicability of the described sub-15 nm cubic-phase core/shell UCNPs for ensemble- and single particle-
level bioimaging.
Lanthanide-doped NaYF4 upconversion nano- and microcrystals were synthesized via a facile solvothermal approach. Thereby, the influence of volume ratios of ethylene glycol (EG)/H2O, molar ratios of NH4F/RE3+ (RE3+ represents the total amount of Y3+ and rare-earth dopant ions), Gd3+ ion contents, types of activator dopant ions, and different organic co-solvents on the crystal phase, size, and morphology of the resulting particles were studied systematically. A possible formation mechanism for the growth of crystals of different morphology is discussed. Our results show that the transition from the α- to the β-phase mainly depends on the volume ratio of EG/H2O and the molar ratio of NH4F/RE3+, while the morphology and size could be controlled by the type of organic co-solvent and Gd3+ dopant ions. Furthermore, the reaction time has to be long enough to convert α-NaYF4 into β-NaYF4 during the growth process to optimize the upconversion luminescence. The formation of larger β-NaYF4 crystals, which possess a higher upconversion luminescence than smaller particles, proceeds via intermediates of smaller crystals of cubic structure. In summary, our synthetic approach presents a facile route to tailor the size, Crystal phase, morphology, and luminescence features of upconversion
materials.
Synthesis of new upconversion (UC) materials that can convert near-infrared excitation light into visible emission light with high efficiency has crucial importance for energy and bio-applications. Herein, SrF2 single crystals with a doping concentration of 2 mol% Er3+ and 2–8 mol% Yb3+ were synthesized and the optical properties were studied. The absorption cross-section of the different doping ions was calculated. To identify the most efficient and brightest material absolute excitation power dependent UC photoluminescence quantum yields (ϕUC) and brightness values were determined. In addition, excitation characteristics and luminescence lifetimes were analysed to understand the changes in population pathways and possible quenching mechanisms. A dominant two-photon population behaviour of the red and green emission bands was observed for all investigated doping concentrations of Yb3+ and Er3+. The ϕUC value of 6.5% measured using 230 W cm−2 of 976 nm excitation for SrF2 crystal co-doped with 2 mol% Er3+ and 3 mol% Yb3+. These findings broaden the scope of efficient UC materials apart from the record UC material β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ and provide benchmark values for cubic-phase and especially SrF2- nano and micrometer sized materials.
We studied the dissolution behavior of β NaYF4:Yb(20%), Er(2%) UCNP of two different sizes in biologically relevant media i.e., water (neutral pH), phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium (DMEM) at different temperatures and particle concentrations. Special emphasis was dedicated to assess the influence of different surface functionalizations, particularly the potential of mesoporous and microporous silica shells of different thicknesses for UCNP stabilization and protection. Dissolution was quantified electrochemically using a fluoride ion selective electrode (ISE) and by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). In addition, dissolution was monitored fluorometrically. These experiments revealed that a thick microporous silica shell drastically decreased dissolution. Our results also underline the critical influence of the chemical composition of the aqueous environment on UCNP dissolution. In DMEM, we observed the formation of a layer of adsorbed molecules on the UCNP surface that protected the UCNP from dissolution and enhanced their fluorescence. Examination of this layer by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and mass spectrometry (MS) suggested that mainly phenylalanine, lysine, and glucose are adsorbed from DMEM. These findings should be considered in the future for cellular toxicity studies with UCNP and other nanoparticles and the design of new biocompatible surface coatings.
Imaging of elemental distributions in single cell assays as well as tissue sections can be performed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). This powerful technique offers precise spatially resolved measurements at the trace and ultratrace level and has been established as an excellent tool to answer analytical, biological and biomedical questions. To date, imaging mass cytometry is already able to simultaneously detect up to 40 cellular targets due to conjugation of isotopically pure lanthanides to affinity binders, e.g. antibodies.
To further enhance the ability of multiparametric analysis to more than 100 analytes at once, we investigated lanthanide nanocrystals as new, highly sensitive metal tags for identification of targets in clinical cell assays and tissue samples. Multiparametric analysis will be possible by encoding the lanthanide composition of nanocrystals associated to the affinity binders. Nanocrystals showed remarkable potential for sensitive detection in MS due to high stability and signal amplification compared to e.g. polymer tags, carrying fewer metal atoms.
Synthesis of functionalized lanthanide nanocrystals for further bioconjugation was performed with high reproducibility and monodisperse size distribution. For proof of principle, the uptake and distribution of these nanocrystals within the monolayered cell line A549 were investigated by mapping the intensities at subcellular resolution using LA-ICP-MS. It could be shown, that the cells were efficiently labeled with the nanocrystals and mostly accumulate near the nucleus. Additionally, the bioconjugation of the nanocrystals to antibodies and particularly the preservation of the antibody specificity was investigated using Dot Blot experiments. All in all, the results imply high sensitivity and the possibility of multiparametric analysis by doting various lanthanides into the nanocrystals.
Imaging of elemental distributions in single cell assays as well as tissue sections can be performed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). This powerful technique offers precise spatially resolved measurements at trace and ultratrace levels and has been established as an excellent tool to answer analytical, biological and biomedical questions. To date, mass cytometry is already able to simultaneously detect up to 40 cellular targets due to conjugation of isotopically pure lanthanides to affinity binders, e.g. antibodies.
To further enhance the ability of multiparametric analysis to more than 100 analytes at once, we investigated lanthanide nanocrystals as new, highly sensitive metal tags for identification of targets in clinical cell assays and tissue samples. Multiparametric analysis will be possible by encoding the lanthanide composition of nanocrystals associated to the affinity binders. Nanocrystals showed remarkable potential for sensitive detection in MS due to high stability and signal amplification compared to e.g. polymer tags, carrying fewer metal atoms. Furthermore, the nanocrystals allow multimodal imaging due fluorescence of Eu3+ as well as contrast enhancing properties of Gd3+ in magnetic resonance imaging.
Synthesis of functionalized lanthanide nanocrystals for further bioconjugation was performed with high reproducibility and monodisperse size distribution. For proof of principle, the uptake and distribution of these nanocrystals within the monolayered cell line A549 were investigated by mapping the intensities at subcellular resolution using LA-ICP-MS. It could be shown, that the cells were efficiently labeled with the nanocrystals. Additionally, the bioconjugation of the nanocrystals to antibodies and particularly the preservation of the antibody specificity was investigated using Dot Blot experiments. All in all, the results imply high sensitivity and the possibility of multiparametric analysis by doting various lanthanides into the nanocrystals.