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Fluorescent electrospun PMMA microfiber mats with embedded NaYF4: Yb/Er upconverting nanoparticles
Myrto Antoniadou1, Aleksandra Pilch-Wrobel2, Christos Riziotis3
1University of Cyprus, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus.
Methods and Applications in Fluorescence
|April 30, 2019
Summary
Functional upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) integrated into electrospun polymer fibers offer enhanced fluorescence for sensing and imaging. This hybrid material optimizes UCNP performance, enabling brighter and more responsive applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photonics
Background:
- Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) offer unique fluorescence properties, including large spectral shifts and photostability, making them advantageous over quantum dots for various applications.
- UCNPs' luminescence can be modulated by environmental factors, enabling sensing and imaging functionalities, further enhanced by functionalization with dyes or recognition elements.
- Electrospun nanofibers provide a high surface area that can improve UCNP performance by maintaining fluorescence efficiency and increasing overall responsivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize polymer-based nanocomposite fibers incorporating upconverting lanthanide-doped nanoparticles.
- To investigate the morphological and optical properties of these UCNP-polymer hybrid fibers, focusing on UCNP distribution and aggregation.
- To optimize the integration of UCNPs within electrospun fibers for enhanced brightness and responsiveness in imaging and sensing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of electrospun polymer nanocomposite fibers using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+@NaYF4 UCNPs.
- Morphological characterization using microscopy to assess UCNP uniformity and aggregation within the PMMA fibers.
- Optical characterization involving pulsed near-infrared excitation to evaluate upconversion emission properties.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of PMMA/UCNP nanocomposite fibers with controllable UCNP incorporation.
- Morphological analysis revealed insights into UCNP distribution and aggregation within the electrospun matrix.
- Upconversion emission characterization demonstrated the potential for bright and efficient luminescence from the hybrid fibers.
Conclusions:
- The developed UCNP-polymer nanocomposite fibers show promise for advanced fluorescence applications.
- Optimized UCNP integration in electrospun fibers enhances material brightness and responsivity.
- These hybrid fibrous systems offer a viable platform for developing efficient upconverting materials for imaging and sensing.
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