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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Synthesis of Core-shell Lanthanide-doped Upconversion Nanocrystals for Cellular Applications
Published on: November 10, 2017
Characterization and Luminescence Properties of Lanthanide-Based Polynuclear Complexes Nanoaggregates
François Le Natur, Guillaume Calvez, Jean-Paul Guégan
1∥Université Lille 1-Sciences et Technologies, UMR CNRS 8576 UGSF, IFR 147-FRE 3637, F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
Abstract:
For the first time, hexanuclear complexes with general chemical formula [Ln6O(OH)8(NO3)6(H2O)n](2+) with n = 12 for Ln = Sm-Lu and Y and n = 14 for Ln = Pr and Nd were stabilized as nanoaggregates in ethylene glycol (EG). These unprecedented nanoaggregates were structurally characterized by (89)Y and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption and luminescence spectroscopies, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, diffusion ordered spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. These nanoaggregates present a 200 nm mean solvodynamic diameter. In these nanoaggregates, hexanuclear complexes are isolated and solvated by EG molecules. The replacement of ethylene glycol by 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol provides new nanoaggregates that present an antenna effect toward lanthanide ions. This results in a significant enhancement of the luminescence properties of the aggregates and demonstrates the suitability of the strategy for obtaining highly tunable luminescent solutions.
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