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Ultrasensitive Thermochromic Upconversion in Core-Shell-Shell Nanoparticles for Nanothermometry and
Huiming Liu1, Long Yan1, Jinshu Huang1
1State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China.
This study introduces a novel core-shell-shell nanostructure for ultrasensitive ratiometric nanothermometry. The new design enhances thermal sensitivity using non-thermally coupled emissions for improved temperature sensing and anticounterfeiting applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Ratiometric nanothermometry using upconversion nanoparticles offers high sensitivity and resolution.
- Improving thermo-sensitivity in existing designs based on thermally coupled emissions remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new nanoplatform for enhanced thermal sensitivity in ratiometric nanothermometry.
- To utilize non-thermally coupled upconversion emissions for improved temperature sensing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a NaYF4:Yb/Er/Ce@NaYF4@NaYF4:Yb/Tm core-shell-shell nanostructure.
- Analysis of temperature-dependent upconversion emissions from Er3+ (green) and Tm3+ (blue).
- Introduction of Ce3+ to enhance sensitivity and broaden the thermochromic range.
Main Results:
- The nanostructure exhibits distinct changes in green and blue emission intensities with temperature.
- A maximum relative sensitivity of 9.86% K-1 at 303 K was achieved.
- Ce3+ incorporation significantly improved sensitivity and expanded the green-to-blue thermochromic gamut.
Conclusions:
- The developed core-shell-shell nanostructure enables ultrasensitive lanthanide-based nanothermometry.
- The approach shows significant potential for advanced temperature sensing and anticounterfeiting applications.
