Enabling Photon Upconversion and Precise Control of Donor-Acceptor Interaction through Interfacial Energy Transfer

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Upconverting materials research is advancing, but mechanistic understanding of lanthanide upconversion strategies remains a challenge.
• Existing methods like energy-transfer and energy-migration upconversion have limitations in scope and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel interfacial energy transfer (IET) strategy for lanthanide photon upconversion.
• To demonstrate fine control over lanthanide donor-acceptor interactions at the nanoscale.
• To enable simultaneous upconversion from multiple lanthanide ions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing NaYF4- and NaYbF4-based core-shell nanostructures.
• Implementing an interlayer-mediated nanostructure to establish a physical model for IET.
• Employing a Nd-Yb coupled sensitizing system for dual-wavelength excitation.

Main Results:

• Achieved efficient photon upconversion from Er3+, Tm3+, Ho3+, Tb3+, Eu3+, and Dy3+ to Sm3+ using the IET approach.
• Demonstrated simultaneous upconversion from multiple lanthanides in core-shell nanostructures.
• Enabled 808/980 nm dual-wavelength excited upconversion from a single particle via IET in a Nd-Yb system.
• Established a physical model for precise control of lanthanide interactions at the nanometer scale.

Conclusions:

• The IET strategy offers a new pathway for efficient and controllable lanthanide photon upconversion.
• This work provides fundamental insights into nanoscale luminescence dynamics involving lanthanides.
• The findings pave the way for novel scientific concepts and precise control of upconversion at the single-ion level.