Upconverted persistent luminescence in β-NaGd0.8Yb0.17Er0.03F4 and Zn1.33Ga1.335Sn0.33Cr0.005O4 associated nanoparticles

Abstract

Charging persistent luminescence materials using an infrared laser as a power source and an upconversion process allows expanding the potential applications for these materials. In bioimaging at the nanoscale, it allows increasing recharge ability capacity, as the excitation wavelength is fully inside the biological window. In this work, we propose a novel approach to this phenomenon using energy transfer on associated materials. For this purpose, we have synthesized β- NaGd0.8Y0.17Er0.03F4 nanoparticles, known for their efficient upconversion, and Zn1.33Ga1.335Sn0.33Cr0.005O4 nanoparticles known for their persistent luminescence properties, and we have associated them through a dry impregnation method. The obtained hybrid material presents persistent luminescence after charging with a 980 nm laser. A mechanism is proposed to explain the energy transfer process.