Modified spontaneous emission of europium complex nanoclusters embedded in colloidal silica spheres

Preparation and fluorescence characterization of monodisperse core-shell structure SiO2 @SiO2 :Tb(1,2-BDC)3 phen microspheres by a sol-seed method

The SiO₂ @SiO₂ :Tb(1,2-BDC)₃ phen microspheres with monodispersed core-shell structure, are kind of fluorescent particles, which are prepared by a seeded growth method under the catalysis of glacial acetic acid (1,2-BDC, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid; phen, 1,10-phenanthroline). Firstly, silica seed was fabricated by the hydrolysis of ethyl orthosilicate, and the Tb(1,2-BDC)₃ phen was prepared by using 1,2-BDC and phen. Then, a thin mesoporous silica shell doped with Tb(1,2-BDC)₃ phen was grown on the prepared monodisperse silica colloids. The prepared phosphor was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric and fluorescence spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that the diameter of the SiO₂ @SiO₂ :Tb((1,2-BDC)₃ phen microsphere was about 200 nm with a typical core-shell structure, among which the diameter of the silica core was 180 nm, and that of the mesoporous silicon shell doped with terbium complex was about 10 nm. The fluorescence intensity of SiO₂ @SiO₂ :Tb((1,2-BDC)₃ phen microsphere is nearly three times higher than that of Tb((1,2-BDC)₃ phen complexes. The prepared microspheres could be widely used in bio-imaging, optoelectronic appliances and medical diagnosis.

Integrated nanophotonic hubs based on ZnO-Tb(OH)3/SiO2 nanocomposites

Optical integration is essential for practical application, but it remains unexplored for nanoscale devices. A newly designed nanocomposite based on ZnO semiconductor nanowires and Tb(OH)3/SiO2 core/shell nanospheres has been synthesized and studied. The unique sea urchin-type morphology, bright and sharply visible emission bands of lanthanide, and large aspect ratio of ZnO crystalline nanotips make this novel composite an excellent signal receiver, waveguide, and emitter. The multifunctional composite of ZnO nanotips and Tb(OH)3/SiO2 nanoparticles therefore can serve as an integrated nanophotonics hub. Moreover, the composite of ZnO nanotips deposited on a Tb(OH)3/SiO2 photonic crystal can act as a directional light fountain, in which the confined radiation from Tb ions inside the photonic crystal can be well guided and escape through the ZnO nanotips. Therefore, the output emission arising from Tb ions is truly directional, and its intensity can be greatly enhanced. With highly enhanced lasing emissions in ZnO-Tb(OH)3/SiO2 as well as SnO2-Tb(OH)3/SiO2 nanocomposites, we demonstrate that our approach is extremely beneficial for the creation of low threshold and high-power nanolaser.

Highly luminescent Eu3+ chelate nanoparticles prepared by a reprecipitation-encapsulation method

Aqueous suspensions of highly luminescent Eu3+ chelate nanoparticles are prepared by a novel reprecipitation-encapsulation method. An alkyl alkoxysilane encapsulation agent is included during the nanoparticle formation process, forming a nanoparticle encapsulation layer that inhibits aggregation as evidenced by UV-vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. In addition, the encapsulated nanoparticles exhibit a small size (10 nm), intense luminescence, and excellent photostability. We estimate that the molar extinction coefficients of the approximately 10 nm particles are approximately 5.0x10(7) M-1 cm-1 with a luminescence quantum yield of 6%, indicating a luminescence brightness many times larger than that of conventional fluorescent dyes and comparable to that of colloidal semiconductor quantum dots. The small size, high brightness, highly red-shifted luminescence, and long luminescence lifetimes of the nanoparticles are of interest for luminescence labeling and sensing applications.

Preparation and encapsulation of highly fluorescent conjugated polymer nanoparticles

A facile method has been developed to prepare aqueous dispersions of encapsulated conjugated polymer nanoparticles exhibiting high fluorescence brightness. Salient features of the nanoparticles include their small diameter and spherical morphology. Encapsulation of the nanoparticles with a silica shell reduces the rate of photooxidation and allows facile attachment of functional groups for subsequent bioconjugation and nanoparticle assembly. Functionalization of the nanoparticle with amine groups followed by the addition of Au nanoparticles resulted in the formation of nanoparticle assemblies, as evidenced by the efficient quenching of the conjugated polymer fluorescence by the Au nanoparticles.