NIR-triggered upconversion and sensitized NIR-emission in Yb-based Eosin Y lake doped latex nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Organic nanoparticles offer versatile platforms for incorporating photoactive materials.
• Ytterbium-based materials are known for their luminescent properties, including near-infrared emission and upconversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To encapsulate Ytterbium-based Eosin Y (EOS-Yb) within organic nanoparticles (NPs).
• To investigate the photoluminescent properties of the resulting EOS-Yb NPs, including visible and near-infrared (NIR) emission and NIR-to-visible upconversion.

Main Methods:

• Microemulsion radical polymerization of methacrylate-based copolymers was employed for nanoparticle synthesis.
• Photoluminescence spectroscopy was used to characterize the emission properties upon excitation at 530 nm and 980 nm.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized photoactive EOS-Yb NPs via microemulsion polymerization.
• Demonstrated visible and NIR emission from EOS-Yb NPs upon 530 nm excitation.
• Observed NIR-to-visible upconversion emission upon 980 nm excitation.

Conclusions:

• Yb-based Eosin Y can be effectively encapsulated in organic nanoparticles.
• The developed EOS-Yb NPs possess dual-mode luminescence (emission and upconversion) for potential photonic applications.