Three-dimensional (3D) rapid prototyping technology based on near-infrared light-induced polymerization of photocurable compositions containing upconversion nanomaterials has been explored. For this aim, the rationally-designed core/shell upconversion nanoparticles NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+/NaYF4, with the distinct ultraviolet-emitting lines and unprecedentedly high near-infrared to ultraviolet conversion efficiency of have been used. The upconverted ultraviolet photons were capable to efficiently activate photoinitiators contained in light-sensitive resins under moderate intensities of NIR excitation below 10 W cm−2 and induce generation of radicals and photopolymerization in situ. Near infrared-activated polymerization process, both at the millimeter and sub-micron scales, was investigated. Polymeric macro- and microstructures were fabricated by means of near infrared laser scanning photolithography in the volume of liquid photocurable compositions with focused laser light at 975 nm wavelength. Examination of the polymerization process in the vicinity of the nanoparticles shows strong differences in the rate of polymer shell growth on flat and edge nanoparticle sides. This phenomenon mainly defines the resolution of the demonstrated near infrared - ultraviolet 3D printing technology at the micrometer scale level.

A method for measuring refractive index n of nanosize particles in the visible and near-IR spectral ranges is proposed. The method is based on comparing refractive index n colloid of a colloid solution of nanoparticles in several solvents with refractive indices n solvent of corresponding pure solvents and has an accuracy of ±2 × 10 -4 . Upconversion nanosize phosphors (UCNPs) are synthesized in the form of a β-NaYF 4 crystalline matrix doped with Yb 3+ , Er 3+ , and Tm 3+ rare earth ions. UCNPs have a doped core with a diameter of 40 ± 5 nm and undoped shell with a thickness of 3-5 nm. Synthesized nanocrystals possess intense photoluminescence in the blue, green, and red spectral ranges upon excitation by IR radiation with a wavelength of 977 nm. Using a spectroscopic refractometer, the dispersion of the refractive index of β-NaYF 4 /Yb 3+ /Er 3+ /Tm 3+ nanocrystals was measured for the first time in the spectral range of 450-1000 nm with an accuracy of ±2 × 10 -4 .

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