Influence of Gd doping concentration on the properties of Na(Y,Gd)F:Yb, Tm upconverting nanoparticles and their long-term aging behavior.

We present a systematic study on the properties of Na(Y,Gd)F-based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNP) doped with 18% Yb, 2% Tm, and the influence of Gd (10-50 mol% Gd). UCNP were synthesized via the solvothermal method and had a range of diameters within 13 and 50 nm. Structural and photophysical changes were monitored for the UCNP samples after a 24-month incubation period in dry phase and further redispersion.

Photo-isomerization of azobenzene containing surfactants induced by near-infrared light using upconversion nanoparticles as mediator.

Here we report on photo-isomerization of azobenzene containing surfactants induced during irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light in the presence of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) acting as mediator. The surfactant molecule consists of charged head group and hydrophobic tail with azobenzene group incorporated in alkyl chain. The azobenzene group can be reversible photo-isomerized between two states: trans- and cis- by irradiation with light of an appropriate wavelength.

Rapid Synthesis of Sub-10 nm Hexagonal NaYF-Based Upconverting Nanoparticles using Therminol 66.

We report a simple one-pot method for the rapid preparation of sub-10 nm pure hexagonal (β-phase) NaYF-based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). Using Therminol 66 as a co-solvent, monodisperse UCNPs could be obtained in unusually short reaction times. By varying the reaction time and reaction temperature, it was possible to control precisely the particle size and crystalline phase of the UCNPs.

Probing the physicochemical interactions of 3-hydroxy-benzo[a]pyrene with different monoclonal and recombinant antibodies by use of fluorescence line-narrowing spectroscopy.

Characterization of interactions between antigens and antibodies is of utmost importance both for fundamental understanding of the binding and for development of advanced clinical diagnostics. Here, fluorescence line-narrowing (FLN) spectroscopy was used to study physicochemical interactions between 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3OH-BaP, as antigen) and a variety of solvent matrices (as model systems) or anti-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon antibodies (anti-PAH). We focused the studies on the specific physicochemical interactions between 3OH-BaP and different, previously obtained, monoclonal and recombinant anti-PAH antibodies.