Work

Heterogenous Core–Shell Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles with Enhanced Afterglow Luminescence

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) are promising for many bioapplications due to their unique afterglow luminescence following the stoppage of light excitation. However, PLNPs are prone to surface quenching that results in weak afterglow luminescence. Although some efforts have been made to reduce surface quenching through designing homogeneous core–shell PLNPs, the enhancement in afterglow luminescence was insignificant. We hypothesize that the independent absorption and emission of the shell caused less energy to reach the activator ions in the core. Hence, a heterogeneous core–shell PLNP where the shell has a higher band gap than the core would reduce the absorption and emission of the shell. In this work, ZnGa 2 O 4 and Zn 2 GeO 4 were coated on Zn 1.2 Ga 1.6 Ge 0.2 O 4:Cr and Zn 3 Ga 2 Ge 2 O 10:Eu nanocrystals, respectively, to form heterogeneous core–shell PLNPs and significant luminescence enhancement was achieved compared to their traditional homogeneous core–shell nanostructures.

Source: Nano Letters

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c02295

Authors: Chung Yin Tsang, Jinliang Liu, Hwa Liang Leo, Yong Zhang

Institutions: National University of Singapore, Shanghai University, City University of Hong Kong

Language: English

Topic: Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: City University of Hong Kong, National Medical Research Council

Awards: G2178093982, G6391937210, G9000032533