UV and Temperature-Sensing Based on NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺:Er³⁺@SiO₂-Eu(tta)₃

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Developing multifunctional nanosystems is crucial for advanced sensing applications.
• Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) offer unique optical properties for bioimaging and sensing.
• Europium complexes are known for their luminescence properties, sensitive to environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a multifunctional nanosystem capable of dual sensing of UV light and temperature.
• To integrate NaGdF4:Yb3+:Er3+ upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) with a europium(III) complex within a silica shell.
• To evaluate the performance of the nanosystem as a dual-mode nanothermometer and UV sensor.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of NaGdF4:Yb3+:Er3+ UCNPs via thermal decomposition.
• Surface modification with a silica shell using a modified Stöber process and reverse microemulsion.
• In situ preparation of a europium(III) thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (Eu(tta)3) complex within the silica shell.
• Characterization of dual-mode sensing capabilities using upconversion and downshifting luminescence.

Main Results:

• The synthesized nanosystem exhibited dual sensing capabilities for UV light and temperature.
• The nanothermometer demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 > 0.99) and high thermal sensitivity (≥1.5%·K-1) near physiological temperatures (293-323 K).
• The incorporated Eu(tta)3 complex showed luminescence dependence on UV light exposure time, confirming its utility as a UV sensor.

Conclusions:

• The developed multifunctional nanosystem effectively functions as a dual sensor for UV light and temperature.
• The silica-coated UCNPs incorporating a europium complex provide a promising platform for advanced optical sensing.
• This dual-mode nanothermometer offers potential applications in environments requiring simultaneous temperature and UV monitoring.