Development of new materials and techniques for luminescence nanothermometry and photothermal conversion

Identifier:  TDX:2241

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2241

Authors:  Savchuk, Oleksandr

Abstract:
We studied the temperature dependence of the luminescence generated by dielectric nanoparticles doped with lanthanide ions to be used in luminescence nanothermometry. New materials emitting in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including Ho,Yb:KLu(WO4)2 and Ho,Tm,Yb:KLu(WO4)2 and Er,Yb:GdVO4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles have been analyzed for these purposes. Moreover, we developed a new and greener microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis method for Er,Yb:NaYF4 nanoparticles that operates at lower temperatures and shorter reaction times than conventional methods. We used lifetime-based nanothermometry in upconversion Er,Yb:NaY2F5O nanoparticles for temperature determination in biological systems, and the change of color of the emission generated in Tm,Yb:GdVO4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles as a function of temperature. Furthermore, we developed a simple and compact setup that would approach luminescence nanothermometry to the real practical applications in medical and industrial environments. We also explored luminescence nanothermometry in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Nd3+-doped KGd(WO4)2 nanoparticles show potentiality as a luminescent nanothermometer in this region for biological systems, with a penetration depth of 1 cm in biological tissues. Er3+ and Tm3+ ions doped in different matrices have shown also efficient emission bands lying in the short-wavelength infrared region that can be used for luminescence thermometry in biological systems. Also, Tm3+,Yb3+:GdVO4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles with emissions located in the first biological window are presented as highly thermal sensitive nanothermometers and have been efficiently internalized in the HeLa cells. Finally, the multifunctionality of Ho3+ and Tm3+ co-doped KLu(WO4)2 nanoparticles has been shown, acting as nanothermometers, photothermal agents and biolabels for bioimaging. Also, we determined the photothermal conversion efficiency of graphene and graphene oxide, efficient heaters for the treatment of several diseases including cancer, and developed a new method for determining their photothermal conversion efficiency by using an integrating sphere, a method that can be extended to other photothermal agents.