Two-photon excited luminescence of sulfur quantum dots for heavy metal ion detection.

Spectrally-resolved third-order nonlinear optical properties of water-dispersed sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) were investigated in the wavelength range from 740 nm to 820 nm with the two-photon excited emission technique using a tunable femtosecond laser system. The maximum value of the two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section () for ∼5.4 nm size SQDs was found to be 185 GM (Goeppert-Mayer unit), while the two-photon brightness ( × ) was found to be 1.

Hybrid Theranostic Cubosomes for Efficient NIR-Induced Photodynamic Therapy.

In recent years, lipid bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline nanoparticles known as cubosomes have been under investigation because of their favorable properties as drug nanocarriers useful for anticancer treatments. Herein, we present organic/inorganic hybrid, theranostic cubosomes stabilized in water with a shell of alternate layers of chitosan, single strand DNA (model genetic material for potential gene therapy), and folic acid-chitosan conjugate (the outmost layer), coencapsulating up-converting Er and Yb codoped NaYF nanoparticles and daunorubicin. The latter acts as a chemotherapeutic drug of photosensitizing activity, while up-converting nanoparticles serve as energy harvester and diagnostic agent.

Exploring Single-Nanoparticle Dynamics at High Temperature by Optical Tweezers.

The experimental determination of the velocity of a colloidal nanoparticle () has recently became a hot topic. The thermal dependence of is still left to be explored although it is a valuable source of information allowing, for instance, the discernment between ballistic and diffusive regimes. Optical tweezers (OTs) constitute a tool especially useful for the experimental determination of although they have only been capable of determining it at room temperature.

The Two-Photon Absorption Cross-Section Studies of CsPbX (X = I, Br, Cl) Nanocrystals.

The CsPbX nanocrystals (NCs) with X = I, Br, Cl, or the mixture of Br:I and Br:Cl in a 1:1 ratio were synthesized and characterized by TEM, DLS, and XRD. Recrystallization of the small luminescent NCs in the metastable cubic phase into bigger orthorhombic nanocrystals was monitored by XRD and identified as the main cause of the nanocolloid coagulation. The recrystallization also leads to a decrease in the photoluminescence quantum yield (QY) of the colloidal solution and shortening of the emission lifetime.

Engineering and biological assessment of double core nanoplatform for co-delivery of hybrid fluorophores to human melanoma.

We investigated new development in photodynamic therapy (PDT), aiming at enhanced tumor selectivity and biocompatibility, which included application of a third-generation photosensitizing agent, i.e. xanthene-origin Rose Bengal (RB) co-encapsulated with up-converting NaYF nanoparticles (NPs) co-doped with lanthanide ions: Er (2%) and Yb (20%).

Functional CdS-Au Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic, Photosensitizing, and Two-Photon Applications.

We demonstrate a low-temperature synthesis of hydrophilic, penicillamine-stabilized hybrid CdS-Au nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing different Au concentrations. The obtained hybrid nanomaterials exhibit photoluminescence quenching and emission lifetime reduction in comparison with their raw semiconductor CdS NPs counterparts. An increase of concentration of Au present at the surface of CdS leads to lower photoluminescence intensity and faster emission decays, suggesting more efficient charge separation when larger Au domains are present.

The effect of glucose and human serum on 5-aminolevulinic acid mediated photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans.

In response to the growing number of life-threatening infections caused by opportunistic Candida albicans fungi we have examined and discussed the effect of glucose and human serum on the efficiency of photosensitization of C. albicans cells with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) used as a precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). We used 630 nm laser diode as an excitation source to enhance the penetration depth and diminish unwanted light scattering, additionally the experiments were performed in planktonic and biofilm cultures to differentiate the results obtained for cells showing various phenotypic characteristics.

Stacked electrospun polymer nanofiber heterostructures with tailored stimulated emission.

We present stacked organic lasing heterostructures made by different species of light-emitting electrospun fibers, each able to provide optical gain in a specific spectral region. A hierarchical architecture is obtained by conformable layers of fibers with disordered two-dimensional organization and three-dimensional compositional heterogeneity. Lasing polymer fibers are superimposed in layers, showing asymmetric optical behavior from the two sides of the organic heterostructure, and tailored and bichromatic stimulated emission depending on the excitation direction.

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer-Activated Processes in Smart Nanotheranostics Fabricated in a Sustainable Manner.

Multilayer nanocarriers loaded with optically activated payloads are gaining increasing attention due to their anticipated crucial role for providing new mechanisms of energy transfers in the health-oriented applications, as well as for energy storage and environmental protection. The combination of careful selection of optical components for efficient Förster resonance energy transfer, and surface engineering of the nanocarriers, allowed us to synthesize and characterize novel theranostic nanosystems for diagnosis and therapy of deep-seated tumors. The cargo, constrained within the oil core of the nanocapsules, composed of NaYF :Tm , Yb up-converting nanoparticles together with a second-generation porphyrin-based photosensitizing agent-Verteporfin, assured requisite diagnostic and therapeutic functions under near-IR laser excitation.

Shaping Luminescent Properties of Yb and Ho Co-Doped Upconverting Core-Shell β-NaYF Nanoparticles by Dopant Distribution and Spacing.

At the core of luminescence color and lifetime tuning of rare earth doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), is the understanding of the impact of the particle architecture for commonly used sensitizer (S) and activator (A) ions. In this respect, a series of core@shell NaYF UCNPs doped with Yb and Ho ions are presented here, where the same dopant concentrations are distributed in different particle architectures following the scheme: YbHo core and YbHo@…, …@YbHo, Yb@Ho, Ho@Yb, YbHo@Yb, and Yb@YbHo core-shell NPs. As revealed by quantitative steady-state and time-resolved luminescence studies, the relative spatial distribution of the A and S ions in the UCNPs and their protection from surface quenching has a critical impact on their luminescence characteristics.

Enlargement of the organic solid-state DFB laser wavelength tuning range by the use of two complementary luminescent dyes doped into the host matrix.

The spectral tuning range of dye lasers is closely associated with the gain profile provided by the utilized luminescent compound. Here, we present the results of studies aimed at broadening the wavelength tuning range in distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, made up of polymeric layers doped with a mixture of two complementary dyes. We have used the 3-(2,2-dicyanoethenyl)-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole (DCNP) luminescent dye, showing stimulated emission in its crystalline form, and the Rhodamine 700 (Rh700) laser dye, which is red-shifted in luminescence relative to DCNP, both doped into a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) host matrix.

Polymeric nanocapsules with up-converting nanocrystals cargo make ideal fluorescent bioprobes.

An innovative approach for up-converting nanoparticles adaptation for bio-related and theranostic applications is presented. We have successfully encapsulated multiple, ~8 nm in size NaYF4 nanoparticles inside the polymeric nanocarriers with average size of ~150 nm. The initial coating of nanoparticles surfaces was preserved due to the hydrophobic environment inside the nanocapsules, and thus no single nanoparticle surface functionalization was necessary.

Determining the 3D orientation of optically trapped upconverting nanorods by in situ single-particle polarized spectroscopy.

An approach to unequivocally determine the three-dimensional orientation of optically manipulated NaYF4:Er(3+),Yb(3+) upconverting nanorods (UCNRs) is demonstrated. Long-term immobilization of individual UCNRs inside single and multiple resonant optical traps allow for stable single UCNR spectroscopy studies. Based on the strong polarization dependent upconverted luminescence of UCNRs it is possible to unequivocally determine, in real time, their three-dimensional orientation when optically trapped.

DNA base pair resolution measurements using resonance energy transfer efficiency in lanthanide doped nanoparticles.

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles are of considerable interest for biodetection and bioimaging techniques thanks to their unique chemical and optical properties. As a sensitive luminescence material, they can be used as (bio) probes in Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) where trivalent lanthanide ions (La3+) act as energy donors. In this paper we present an efficient method to transfer ultrasmall (ca.

Morphology- and size-dependent spectroscopic properties of Eu-doped GdO colloidal nanocrystals.

The synthesis, morphological characterization, and optical properties of colloidal, Eu(III) doped GdO nanoparticles with different sizes and shapes are presented. Utilizing wet chemical techniques and various synthesis routes, we were able to obtain spherical, nanodisk, nanotripod, and nanotriangle-like morphology of GdO:Eu nanoparticles. Various concentrations of Eu ions in the crystal matrix of the nanoparticles were tested in order to establish the levels at which the concentration quenching effect is negligible.

Ligand-dependent luminescence of ultra-small Eu-doped NaYF nanoparticles.

Pure cubic phase ultra-small α-NaYF:4 % Eu colloidal nanoparticles were synthesized by thermal decomposition reaction using three various capping ligands, i.e., oleic acid, trioctylphosphine oxide, and hexadecylamine.

Heptametallic, octupolar nonlinear optical chromophores with six ferrocenyl substituents.

New complexes with six ferrocenyl (Fc) groups connected to Zn(II) or Cd(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) cores are described. A thorough characterisation of their BPh4(-) salts includes two single-crystal X-ray structures, highly unusual for such species with multiple, extended substituents. Intense, visible d(Fe(II))→π* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands accompany the π→π* intraligand charge-transfer absorptions in the near UV region.

Wavelength dependence of nonlinear optical properties of colloidal CdS quantum dots.

Wide wavelength range (550-1600 nm) measurements of nonlinear optical properties of ca. 5 nm CdS quantum dots (QDs) colloidal solution were performed using the Z-scan technique with femtosecond laser pulses at 1 kHz. Parameters characterizing nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction were determined.

Neodymium(III) doped fluoride nanoparticles as non-contact optical temperature sensors.

We report that non-contact optical temperature sensing can be achieved with the use of heavily Nd(3+) doped NaYF(4) nanoparticles. The temperature evaluation can be realized either by monitoring the absolute luminescence intensity or by measuring the intensity ratio of the two Stark components of the (4)F(3/2) multiplet in the Nd(3+) ions.

Optimisation of ligand exchange towards stable water suspensions of crystalline NaYF4: Er3+, Yb3+ nanoluminophors.

NaYF4: 2%Er3+, 20%Yb3+ nanoparticles were synthesized through a wet chemical route. In order to transfer the nanoparticles from chloroform to aqueous solution an oleic acid to 3-mercaptopropionic acid ligand exchange process has been performed and optimized. The influence of temperature and atmosphere onto the NaYF4:2%Er3+, 20%Yb3+ nanoparticles water suspensions dispersibility and stability after replacing oleic acid with 3-mercaptopropionic acid ligands has been investigated.

Giant enhancement of upconversion in ultra-small Er³⁺/Yb³⁺:NaYF₄ nanoparticles via laser annealing.

Most of the synthesis routes of lanthanide-doped phosphors involve thermal processing which results in nanocrystallite growth, stabilization of the crystal structure and augmentation of luminescence intensity. It is of great interest to be able to transform the sample in a spatially localized manner, which may lead to many applications like 2D and 3D data storage, anti-counterfeiting protection, novel design bio-sensors and, potentially, to fabrication of metamaterials, 3D photonic crystals or plasmonic devices. Here we demonstrate irreversible spatially confined infrared-laser-induced annealing (LIA) achieved in a thin layer of dried colloidal solution of ultra-small ∼8 nm NaYF₄ nanocrystals (NCs) co-doped with 2% Er³⁺ and 20% Yb³⁺ ions under a localized tightly focused beam from a continuous wave 976 nm medium power laser diode excitation.