NIR‐I/III afterglow induced by energy transfers between Er and Cr codoped in ZGGO nanoparticles for potential bioimaging

Abstract

Herein, Cr3+ and Er3+ codoped zinc gallogermanate (ZGGO) nanoparticles with average size of ~60 nm was synthesized via a hydrothermal path. It was found that near infrared (NIR)‐III (~1540 nm) afterglow was realized in ZGGO:Cr3+,Er3+ nanoparticles based on the successive energy transfer (ET) from Cr3+ to Er3+ after the stoppage of low‐dose (60 mSv) X‐ray irradiation. Meanwhile, the upconverted afterglow at 696 nm was produced via the ET from Er3+ to Cr3+ under different NIR light (808, 980, and 1532 nm) irradiations. Our results demonstrated that an X‐ray pre‐irradiation and a subsequent 980‐nm light re‐excitation might be a good strategy for realizing potential bioimaging. In particular, local‐tissue NIR‐I afterglow imaging using Cr3+ and Er3+ codoped ZGGO nanoparticles can be easily acquired by one‐step 980‐nm laser radiation. Furthermore, NIR‐I/III afterglow mechanisms of ZGGO:Cr3+,Er3+ nanoparticles after stopping X‐ray or different NIR lights (808, 980, and 1532 nm) irradiations were given.

Current Developments in Emerging Lanthanide‐Doped Persistent Luminescent Scintillators and Their Applications

“…The ultra‐long afterglow displayed by the particles shows the path and direction for the research of developing new Tb 3+ ‐doped nanomaterials. Yang et al [66] . synthesized Cr 3+ and Er 3+ co‐doped zinc gallogermanate (Abbreviated as ZGGO : Cr 3+ ,Er 3+ ) nanoparticles with particle sizes are around ~60 nm via hydrothermal method with an annealing process in the ambient of vacuum.…”

“…The ultra-long afterglow displayed by the particles shows the path and direction for the research of developing new Tb 3 + -doped nanomaterials. Yang et al [66] synthesized Cr 3 + and Er 3 + co-doped zinc gallogermanate (Abbreviated as ZGGO : Cr 3 + ,Er 3 + ) nanoparticles with particle sizes are around ~60 nm via hydrothermal method with an annealing process in the ambient of vacuum. The effective energy transfer from Cr 3 + to Er 3 + was realized by the co-doping of Cr 3 + and Er 3 + , and the results demonstrated the excellent PersL of Er 3 + in NIR-III.…”

Recent advances in the design of afterglow materials: mechanisms, structural regulation strategies and applications

“…154,155 Therefore, they have a considerable influence on the timing and intensity of the afterglow. 156 Co-dopants generally emit no or very weak luminescence. 157 The duration and intensity of the afterglow emission are closely related to the properties of the co-dopants, such as valence states, energy levels structure, optical electronegativity, doping content, and treatment temperature.…”

Doping and luminescence mechanisms of broadband NIR‐II emitting Zn2(1−x)Ni2xGa3Ge0.75O8 nanoparticles

“…8 Furthermore, based on the PET from transition metal (TM) ions to RE ions, ZGGO:Cr 3+ ,Nd 3+ and ZGGO:Cr 3+ ,Er 3+ NIR-II persistent luminescence nanoparticles with emission at 1067 and 1530 nm were developed. 9,10 However, for the aforementioned nanoparticles, the narrow-band emissions and relatively poor luminescence performance of RE ions have limited their biomedical applications. 11 Fortunately, Ni 2+ ions (TM ions)-doped gallate-based luminescence materials exhibited wideband emission (1000-1700 nm) originating from d-d electron transitions and excellent persistent luminescence performance.…”

“…prepared Eu 2+ , Dy 3+ , and Er 3+ co‐doped SrAl 2 O 4 persistent luminescence materials with NIR‐II emission at 1530 nm by means of the persistent energy transfer (PET) between RE ions 8 . Furthermore, based on the PET from transition metal (TM) ions to RE ions, ZGGO:Cr 3+ ,Nd 3+ and ZGGO:Cr 3+ ,Er 3+ NIR‐II persistent luminescence nanoparticles with emission at 1067 and 1530 nm were developed 9,10 . However, for the aforementioned nanoparticles, the narrow‐band emissions and relatively poor luminescence performance of RE ions have limited their biomedical applications 11 …”