Synthesis of Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Nanoparticles

Presenter: Daniel M. Fung-A-Fat

Faculty Sponsor: Weichu Xu

School: Worcester State University

Research Area: Chemistry and Materials Science

Session: Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Auditorium, A84

ABSTRACT

Lanthanide-doped up conversion nanoparticles, otherwise known as UCNPs, convert infra-red light and emit UV or visible light when excited. This process of changing the light is when two excited photons are used to excite the same photon and is more simply dubbed Triplet-Triplet annihilation as it allows a higher excited state to be achieved. This also affects the wavelength of light emitted by the particle known as anti-stokes shift as they emit a higher wavelength than was absorbed. These synthesized nanoparticles differ from previously established ones by being able to function at room temperature as opposed to needing to be supercooled. This makes them valuable for bioimaging, optoelectronics and quantum computing.

Utilizing previously established methods to synthesize the nanoparticles, new reactants were used. This poster will highlight methods of synthesis like co-precipitation and hydrothermal techniques while focusing on other controlled factors like dopant concentration and modifications to the particles surface which affect the up-conversion efficiency as well as the application potential. The particles were able to be visualized utilizing transmission electron microscopy. These varied in size, shape, and length such as rod like structures, crystalline lattices, and general particles. With the development of these particles, further testing can be done on them including their interaction with infra-red light and scanning electron microscopy to collect more data.

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