1
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Puccini A, Liu N, Hemmer E. Lanthanide-based nanomaterials for temperature sensing in the near-infrared spectral region: illuminating progress and challenges. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:10975-10993. [PMID: 38607258 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr00307a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Being first proposed as a method to overcome limitations associated with conventional contact thermometers, luminescence thermometry has been extensively studied over the past two decades as a sensitive and fast approach to remote and minimally invasive thermal sensing. Herein, lanthanide (Ln)-doped nanoparticles (Ln-NPs) have been identified as particularly promising candidates, given their outstanding optical properties. Known primarily for their upconversion emission, Ln-NPs have also been recognized for their ability to be excited with and emit in the near-infrared (NIR) regions matching the NIR transparency windows. This sparked the emergence of the development of NIR-NIR Ln-NPs for a wide range of temperature-sensing applications. The shift to longer excitation and emission wavelengths resulted in increased efforts being put into developing nanothermometers for biomedical applications, however most research is still preclinical. This mini-review outlines and addresses the challenges that limit the reliability and implementation of luminescent nanothermometers to real-life applications. Through a critical look into the recent developments from the past 4 years, we highlight attempts to overcome some of the limitations associated with excitation wavelength, thermal sensitivity, calibration, as well as light-matter interactions. Strategies range from use of longer excitation wavelengths, brighter emitters through strategic core/multi-shell architectures, exploitation of host phonons, and a shift from double- to single-band ratiometric as well as lifetime-based approaches to innovative methods based on computation and machine learning. To conclude, we offer a perspective on remaining gaps and where efforts should be focused towards more robust nanothermometers allowing a shift to real-life, e.g., in vivo, applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigale Puccini
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Eva Hemmer
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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2
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Xing Z, Hu Q, Wang W, Kong N, Gao R, Shen X, Xu S, Meng L, Liu JR, Zhu X. An NIR-IIb emissive transmembrane voltage nano-indicator for the optical monitoring of electrophysiological activities in vivo. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:2457-2468. [PMID: 38465967 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh02189k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
In vivo transmembrane-voltage detection reflected the electrophysiological activities of the biological system, which is crucial for the diagnosis of neuronal disease. Traditional implanted electrodes can only monitor limited regions and induce relatively large tissue damage. Despite emerging monitoring methods based on optical imaging have access to signal recording in a larger area, the recording wavelength of less than 1000 nm seriously weakens the detection depth and resolution in vivo. Herein, a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based nano-indicator, NaYbF4:Er@NaYF4@Cy7.5@DPPC (Cy7.5-ErNP) with emission in the near-infrared IIb biological window (NIR-IIb, 1500-1700 nm) is developed for transmembrane-voltage detection. Cy7.5 dye is found to be voltage-sensitive and is employed as the energy donor for the energy transfer to the lanthanide nanoparticle, NaYbF4:Er@NaYF4 (ErNP), which works as the acceptor to achieve electrophysiological signal responsive NIR-IIb luminescence. Benefiting from the high penetration and low scattering of NIR-IIb luminescence, the Cy7.5-ErNP enables both the visualization of action potential in vitro and monitoring of Mesial Temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) disease in vivo. This work presents a concept for leveraging the lanthanide luminescent nanoprobes to visualize electrophysiological activity in vivo, which facilitates the development of an optical nano-indicator for the diagnosis of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Xing
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China.
| | - Qian Hu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China.
| | - Weikan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Na Kong
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China.
| | - Rong Gao
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaolei Shen
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Sixin Xu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China.
| | - Lingkai Meng
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China.
| | - Jian-Ren Liu
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Xingjun Zhu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
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3
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Li T, Zhang Y, Wu F, Chen G, Li C, Wang Q. Rational Design of NIR-II Ratiometric Fluorescence Probes for Accurate Bioimaging and Biosensing In Vivo. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400132. [PMID: 38470209 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Intravital fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 900-1700 nm) has emerged as a promising method for non-invasive diagnostics in complex biological systems due to its advantages of less background interference, high tissue penetration depth, high imaging contrast, and sensitivity. However, traditional NIR-II fluorescence imaging, which is characterized by the "always on" or "turn on" mode, lacks the ability of quantitative detection, leading to low reproducibility and reliability during bio-detection. In contrast, NIR-II ratiometric fluorescence imaging can realize quantitative and reliable analysis and detection in vivo by providing reference signals for fluorescence correction, generating new opportunities and prospects during in vivo bioimaging and biosensing. In this review, the current design strategies and sensing mechanisms of NIR-II ratiometric fluorescence probes for bioimaging and biosensing applications are systematically summarized. Further, current challenges, future perspectives and opportunities for designing NIR-II ratiometric fluorescence probes are also discussed. It is hoped that this review can provide effective guidance for the design of NIR-II ratiometric fluorescence probes and promote its adoption in reliable biological imaging and sensing in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuanwei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Imaging Technology, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yejun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Imaging Technology, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Feng Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Imaging Technology, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Guangcun Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Imaging Technology, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Imaging Technology, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qiangbin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Imaging Technology, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
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4
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Li D, Jia M, Jia T, Chen G. Ultrasensitive NIR-II Ratiometric Nanothermometers for 3D In Vivo Thermal Imaging. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309452. [PMID: 38088453 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent nanothermometry, particularly the one based on ratiometric, has sparked intense research for non-invasive in vivo or intracellular temperature mapping, empowering their uses as diagnosis tools in biomedicine. However, ratiometric detection still suffers from biased sensing induced by wavelength-dependent tissue absorption and scattering, low thermal sensitivity (Sr ), and lack of imaging depth information. Herein, this work constructs an ultrasensitive NIR-II ratiometric nanothermometer with self-calibrating ability for 3D in vivo thermographic imaging, in which temperature-insensitive lanthanide nanocrystals and strongly temperature-quenched Ag2 S quantum dots are co-assembled to form a hybrid nanocomposite material. Precise control over the amount ratio between two sub-materials enables the manipulation of heat-activated back energy transfer from Ag2 S to Yb3+ in lanthanide nanoparticles, thereby rendering Sr up to 7.8% °C-1 at 43.5 °C, and higher than 6.5% °C-1 over the entire physiological temperature range. Moreover, the luminescence intensity ratio between two separated spectral regions within the narrow Yb3+ emission peak is used to determine the depth information of nanothermometers in living mice and correct the effect of tissue depth on 2D thermographic imaging, and therefore allows a proof-of-concept demonstration of accurate 3D in vivo thermographic imaging, constituting a solid step toward the development of advanced ratiometric nanothermometry for biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Key Laboratory of Micro-systems and Micro-structures, Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Mochen Jia
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Tao Jia
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Key Laboratory of Micro-systems and Micro-structures, Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Guanying Chen
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Key Laboratory of Micro-systems and Micro-structures, Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
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5
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Brites CDS, Marin R, Suta M, Carneiro Neto AN, Ximendes E, Jaque D, Carlos LD. Spotlight on Luminescence Thermometry: Basics, Challenges, and Cutting-Edge Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2302749. [PMID: 37480170 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Luminescence (nano)thermometry is a remote sensing technique that relies on the temperature dependency of the luminescence features (e.g., bandshape, peak energy or intensity, and excited state lifetimes and risetimes) of a phosphor to measure temperature. This technique provides precise thermal readouts with superior spatial resolution in short acquisition times. Although luminescence thermometry is just starting to become a more mature subject, it exhibits enormous potential in several areas, e.g., optoelectronics, photonics, micro- and nanofluidics, and nanomedicine. This work reviews the latest trends in the field, including the establishment of a comprehensive theoretical background and standardized practices. The reliability, repeatability, and reproducibility of the technique are also discussed, along with the use of multiparametric analysis and artificial-intelligence algorithms to enhance thermal readouts. In addition, examples are provided to underscore the challenges that luminescence thermometry faces, alongside the need for a continuous search and design of new materials, experimental techniques, and analysis procedures to improve the competitiveness, accessibility, and popularity of the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos D S Brites
- Phantom-g, CICECO, Departamento de Física, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Riccardo Marin
- Departamento de Física de Materiales, Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Institute for Advanced Research in Chemical Sciences (IAdChem), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Markus Suta
- Inorganic Photoactive Materials, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Structural Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Albano N Carneiro Neto
- Phantom-g, CICECO, Departamento de Física, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Erving Ximendes
- Departamento de Física de Materiales, Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, 28034, Spain
| | - Daniel Jaque
- Departamento de Física de Materiales, Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Institute for Advanced Research in Chemical Sciences (IAdChem), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, 28034, Spain
| | - Luís D Carlos
- Phantom-g, CICECO, Departamento de Física, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
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6
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Guo Y, Hu J, Wang P, Yang H, Liang S, Chen D, Xu K, Huang Y, Wang Q, Liu X, Zhu H. In Vivo NIR-II Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Whole-Body Vascular Using High Quantum Yield Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2300392. [PMID: 37127883 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Second near infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) fluorescence lifetime imaging is a powerful tool for biosensing, anti-counterfeiting, and multiplex imaging. However, the low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of fluorescence probes in NIR-II region limits its data collecting efficiency and accuracy, especially in multiplex molecular imaging in vivo. To solve this problem, lanthanide-doped nanoparticles (NPs) β-NaErF4 : 2%Ce@NaYbF4 @NaYF4 with high PLQY and tunable PL lifetime through multi-ion doping and core-shell structural design, are presented. The obtained internal PLQY can reach up to 50.1% in cyclohexane and 9.2% in water under excitation at 980 nm. Inspired by the above results, a fast NIR-II fluorescence lifetime imaging of whole-body vascular in mice is successfully performed by using the homebuilt fluorescence lifetime imaging system, which reveals a murine abdominal capillary network with low background. A further demonstration of fluorescence lifetime multiplex imaging is carried out in molecular imaging of atherosclerosis cells and different organs in vivo through NPs conjugating with specific peptides and different injection modalities, respectively. These results demonstrate that the high PLQY NPs combined with the homebuilt fluorescence lifetime imaging system can realize a fast and high signal-to-noise fluorescence lifetime imaging; thus, opening a road for multiplex molecular imaging of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongwei Guo
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Jie Hu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350025, China
| | - Hongyi Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Sisi Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Dejian Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Kunyuan Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yingping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, China
| | - Qinglai Wang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350025, China
| | - Haomiao Zhu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Research Center of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
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7
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Mulder J, Jenkinson K, Toso S, Prato M, Evers WH, Bals S, Manna L, Houtepen AJ. Nucleation and Growth of Bipyramidal Yb:LiYF 4 Nanocrystals-Growing Up in a Hot Environment. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2023; 35:5311-5321. [PMID: 37528840 PMCID: PMC10389792 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanide-doped LiYF4 (Ln:YLF) is commonly used for a broad variety of optical applications, such as lasing, photon upconversion and optical refrigeration. When synthesized as nanocrystals (NCs), this material is also of interest for biological applications and fundamental physical studies. Until now, it was unclear how Ln:YLF NCs grow from their ionic precursors into tetragonal NCs with a well-defined, bipyramidal shape and uniform dopant distribution. Here, we study the nucleation and growth of ytterbium-doped LiYF4 (Yb:YLF), as a template for general Ln:YLF NC syntheses. We show that the formation of bipyramidal Yb:YLF NCs is a multistep process starting with the formation of amorphous Yb:YLF spheres. Over time, these spheres grow via Ostwald ripening and crystallize, resulting in bipyramidal Yb:YLF NCs. We further show that prolonged heating of the NCs results in the degradation of the NCs, observed by the presence of large LiF cubes and small, irregular Yb:YLF NCs. Due to the similarity in chemical nature of all lanthanide ions our work sheds light on the formation stages of Ln:YLF NCs in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jence
T. Mulder
- Optoelectronic
Materials Section, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, The
Netherlands
| | - Kellie Jenkinson
- Electron
Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefano Toso
- Department
of Nanochemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
(IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Mirko Prato
- Materials
Characterization Facility, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Wiel H. Evers
- Optoelectronic
Materials Section, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, The
Netherlands
- Department
of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, The
Netherlands
| | - Sara Bals
- Electron
Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Liberato Manna
- Department
of Nanochemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
(IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Arjan J. Houtepen
- Optoelectronic
Materials Section, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, The
Netherlands
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8
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Cressoni C, Vurro F, Milan E, Muccilli M, Mazzer F, Gerosa M, Boschi F, Spinelli AE, Badocco D, Pastore P, Delgado NF, Collado MH, Marzola P, Speghini A. From Nanothermometry to Bioimaging: Lanthanide-Activated KY 3F 10 Nanostructures as Biocompatible Multifunctional Tools for Nanomedicine. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:12171-12188. [PMID: 36826830 PMCID: PMC9999348 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c22000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanide-activated fluoride-based nanostructures are extremely interesting multifunctional tools for many modern applications in nanomedicine, e.g., bioimaging, sensing, drug delivery, and photodynamic therapy. Importantly, environmental-friendly preparations using a green chemistry approach, as hydrothermal synthesis route, are nowadays highly desirable to obtain colloidal nanoparticles, directly dispersible in hydrophilic media, as physiological solution. The nanomaterials under investigation are new KY3F10-based citrate-capped core@shell nanostructures activated with several lanthanide ions, namely, Er3+, Yb3+, Nd3+, and Gd3+, prepared as colloidal water dispersions. A new facile microwave-assisted synthesis has been exploited for their preparation, with significant reduction of the reaction times and a fine control of the nanoparticle size. These core@shell multifunctional architectures have been investigated for use as biocompatible and efficient contrast agents for optical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) techniques. These multifunctional nanostructures are also efficient noninvasive optical nanothermometers. In fact, the lanthanide emission intensities have shown a relevant relative variation as a function of the temperature, in the visible and near-infrared optical ranges, efficiently exploiting ratiometric intensity methods for optical thermometry. Importantly, in contrast with other fluoride hosts, chemical dissolution of KY3F10 citrate-capped nanocrystals in aqueous environment is very limited, of paramount importance for applications in biological fluids. Furthermore, due to the strong paramagnetic properties of lanthanides (e.g., Gd3+), and X-ray absorption of both yttrium and lanthanides, the nanostructures under investigation are extremely useful for MRI and CT imaging. Biocompatibility studies of the nanomaterials have revealed very low cytotoxicity in dfferent human cell lines. All these features point to a successful use of these fluoride-based core@shell nanoarchitectures for simultaneous diagnostics and temperature sensing, ensuring an excellent biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cressoni
- Nanomaterials
Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federica Vurro
- Division
of Experimental Oncology, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
- University
Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Emil Milan
- Nanomaterials
Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Matilde Muccilli
- Department
of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco Mazzer
- Nanomaterials
Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Gerosa
- Department
of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department
of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Antonello Enrico Spinelli
- Experimental
Imaging Centre, San Raffaele Scientific
Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Denis Badocco
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Pastore
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Natalia Fernández Delgado
- Department
of Materials Science and Metallurgic Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario Río
San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Miriam Herrera Collado
- Department
of Materials Science and Metallurgic Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario Río
San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Pasquina Marzola
- Department
of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Adolfo Speghini
- Nanomaterials
Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
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