Filtern
Dokumenttyp
- Vortrag (21)
Referierte Publikation
- nein (21)
Schlagworte
- Quantum yield (8)
- Upconversion (6)
- NIR (4)
- Lanthanide (3)
- Nano (3)
- Nanoparticle (3)
- Photophysics (3)
- SWIR (3)
- Brightness (2)
- Lifetime (2)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (21) (entfernen)
Spektroskopie mit der Ulbrichtkugel: Streuende und floureszierende Systeme in der Bioanalytik
(2013)
Inorganic nanocrystals with linear and nonlinear luminescence in the ultraviolet, visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared like semiconductor quantum dots and spectrally shifting lanthanide-based nanophosphors have meanwhile found applications in the life and material sciences ranging from optical reporters for bioimaging and sensing over security barcodes to solid state lighting and photovoltaics. These nanomaterials commonly have increasingly sophisticated core/shell particle architectures with shells of different chemical composition and thickness to minimize radiationless deactivation at the particle surface that is usually the main energy loss mechanism [1]. For lanthanide-based spectral shifters, particularly for very small nanoparticles, also surface coatings are needed which protect near-surface lanthanide ions from luminescence quenching by high energy vibrators like O-H groups and prevent the disintegration of these nanoparticles under high dilution conditions. [2,3,4]. The identification of optimum particle structures requires quantitative spectroscopic studies focusing on the key performance parameter photoluminescence quantum yield [5,6], ideally flanked by single particle studies to assess spectroscopic inhomogeneities on a particle-to-particle level for typical preparation methods [7], Moreover, in the case of upconversion nanoparticles with a multi-photonic and hence, excitation power density (P)-dependent luminescence, quantitative luminescence studies over a broad P range are required to identify particle architectures that are best suited for applications in fluorescence assays up to fluorescence microscopy. Here, we present methods to quantify the photoluminescence of these different types of emitters in the vis/NIR/SWIR and as function of Pand demonstrate the importance of such measurements for a profound mechanistic understanding of the nonradiative deactivation pathways in semiconductor and upconversion nanocrystals of different size and particle architecture in different environments.
Accurate and quantitative photoluminescence measurements are mandatory for the comparison of different emitter classes and the rational design of the next generation of molecular and nanoscale reporters as well as for most applications relying on their luminescence features in the life and material sciences and nanobiophotonics. In the following, procedures for the determination of the spectroscopic key parameter photoluminescence quantum yield, i.e., the number of emitted per absorbed photons, in the UV/vis/NIR/SWIR are presented including pitfalls and achievable uncertainties and material-specific effects related to certain emitter classes are addressed. Special emphasis is dedicated to luminescent nanocrystals.
Introduction. Comparing different emitter classes and rationally designing the next generation of molecular and nanoscale probes for bioimaging applications require accurate and quantitative methods for the measurement of the key parameter photoluminescence quantum yield f.1 f equals the number of emitted per number of absorbed photons. This is particularly relevant for increasingly used fluorescence imaging in the short wave-infrared region (SWIR) ≥ 900 nm providing deeper penetration depths, a better image resolution, and an improved signal-to-noise or tumor-to-background ratio.2, 3 However, spectroscopic measurements in the SWIR are more challenging and require specific calibrations and standards.
Bright emitters with photoluminescence in the spectral region of 800 – 1600 nm are increasingly important as optical reporters for molecular imaging, sensing, and telecommunication and as active components in electrooptical and photovoltaic devices. Their rational design is directly linked to suitable methods for the characterization of their signal-relevant properties, especially their photoluminescence quantum yield. Aiming at the development of bright semiconductor nanocrystals with emission > 1000 nm, we designed a new NIR/IR integrating sphere setup for the wavelength region of 600 – 1600 nm. We assessed the performance of this setup by acquiring the corrected emission spectra and quantum yield of the organic dyes Itrybe, IR140, and IR26 and several infrared (IR)-emissive Cd1-xHgxTe and PbS semiconductor nanocrystals and comparing them to data obtained with two independently calibrated fluorescence instruments absolutely or relatively to previously evaluated reference dyes. Our results highlight special challenges of photoluminescence studies in the IR ranging from solvent absorption to the lack of spectral and intensity standards together with quantum dot-specific challenges like photobrightening and photodarkening and the size-dependent air stability and photostability of differently sized oleate-capped PbS colloids. These effects can be representative for lead chalcogenides. Moreover, we redetermined the quantum yield of IR26, the most frequently used IR reference dye, to 1.1×10-3 in 1,2-dichloroethane DCE with a thorough sample reabsorption and solvent absorption correction.
The design of bright of upconversion nanoparticles requires an improved understanding of the radiationless deactivation pathways in UCNP, that are affected by their size1,2, surface chemistry,2 and microenvironment 3,4. In this respect, we discuss experimental requirements of an integrating sphere setup for absolute measurements of the excitation power density dependent quantum yield5,6 (UC(P)) in the VIS to IR spectral region. We report systematic studies of the influence of the UCNP size, surface ligands, and solvent on the UC(P), the up- and downconversion luminescence decay behavior, the power dependent intensities of the individual emission bands, and their slope factors.
Lanthanide-doped up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs), are promising reporters for bioanalysis and theranostics, which are excitable in the near infrared (NIR) by multiphoton absorption processes, and show multiple narrow emission bands in the visible (vis) and NIR, excellent photostability, and long luminescence lifetimes in the µs range. The rational design of brighter UCNP requires an improved understanding of the radiationless deactivation pathways in UCNP, that are affected by size, surface chemistry, and microenvironment. In this respect, we discuss the experimental requirements on absolute measurements of the upconversion quantum yield and its excitation radiant power density dependence and present the design and characterization of unique integrating sphere setup for such measurements in the vis to IR spectral region including its calibration, the influence of the excitation beam profile and solutions to perform such measurements in aqueous media.
Solid state multi-band emitters like lanthanide doped up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are promising materials for energy and biotechnologies. These materials are excitable in the near infrared (NIR) and show emission bands from UV to SWIR with excellent photostability, and long luminescence lifetimes in the µs range. The efficiency of these materials, i.e. the multiphoton absorption processes, the excitation power dependent population, and deactivation dynamics are strongly influenced by the particle size, structure, doping concentration, surface chemistry, and microenvironment. For applications UCNPs have to be optimized to meet the application relevant optical properties like the upconversion quantum yield (UC) and downshifting quantum yield (PL), luminescence lifetime and emission spectra.
We investigated ß-NaYF4 NPs co-doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ in aqueous and organic media and as powder. For the later, bulk and nanomaterial is compared. For dispersed particles the influence of surface chemistry (ligands), microenvironment (solvent) and size (10 to 43 nm) was studied. Especially for bioapplications the Förster-Resonance-Energy-Transfer (FRET) efficiency from UCNPs to organic dye molecules (rose bengal and sulforhodamine B) was optimized with respect to the UCNP size.
Trends in fluorometry and fluorescence imaging are increasing applications of molecular and nanoscale reporters with emission > 800 nm and recently also > 1000 nm for bioanalysis, medical diagnostics, bioimaging, and safety barcodes. Mandatory for the comparison of different emitter classes and the rational design of the next generation of reporters for the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) region are reliable and quantitative photoluminescence measurements in this challenging wavelength region. This is of special relevance for nanocrystalline emitters like semiconductor quantum dots and rods as well as lanthanide-based upconversion and downconversion nanocrystals, where surface states and the accessibility of emissive states by quenchers largely control accomplishable photoluminescence quantum yields and hence, signal sizes and detection sensitivities from the reporter side. Such measurements are currently hampered by the lack of suitable methods and standards for instrument calibration and validation and quantum yield standards with emission > 800 nm and especially > 1000 nm.
In this respect, we present the design of integrating sphere setups for absolute and excitation power density-dependent measurements of emission spectra and photoluminescence quantum yields in the wavelength region of 650 to 1650 nm including calibration strategies and first candidates for potential fluorescence standards. Subsequently, selected examples for spectroscopic studies of different types of nanocrystals are presented including the upconversion and downconversion emission of differently sized and surface functionalized lanthanide-doped nanoparticles
The direct measure for the conversion efficiency of absorbed photons into emitted light by an emissive species or chromophore is the photoluminescence quantum yield (pl).1 pl is the fluorometric key quantity that controls the suitability of a molecule or material e.g. for application as a label, probe or sensor molecule or as a converter material. A straightforward approach to pl values presents their absolute determination using an integrating sphere set up. This procedure circumvents the use of standards thereby avoiding additional measurements and uncertainties related to their often debated pl values. In this respect, we discuss the experimental requirements on absolute measurements of down and upconversion quantum yields (UC), the later presents currently one of the most challenging spectroscopic measurements due to its multiphotonic character. We explore the challenges for determination of excitation power density (P) dependent pl(P), present the design and characterization of a unique integrating sphere setup for such measurements in the vis to IR spectral region including its calibration, and the influence of the excitation beam profile to perform pl measurements of liquid and solid materials.
As an example for downshifting materials we present doped core-shell CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (d-dots) which show a nearly host material and crystal size independent emission with large Stokes shifts and minimum reabsorption.2 Systematic variation of the reaction components, parameters and thickness of the ZnS shell yielded doped nanocrystals with a very high pl, high reproducibility and large quantities. Application of these NCs in the light conversion layers of commercial monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si) solar cells led to a significant enhancement of the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of this devices in the ultraviolet spectral region between 300 and 400 nm. On the other hand, lanthanide-doped up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs), are promising light converters from the near infrared to the visible region. These NPs show multiple narrow emission bands in the visible (vis) and NIR, excellent photostability, and long luminescence lifetimes. The rational design of brighter UCNP requires an improved understanding of the radiationless deactivation pathways, that are affected by size, surface chemistry, and microenvironment.3 We give an insight into the influences of these parameters on the photophysical key characteristics of the upconversion process such as UC(P), the luminescence decay behavior, the power dependent red-to-green intensity ratio, and intensities of the individual emission bands.
Scattering of Particles
(2017)
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.