YVO4:Nd3+ nanophosphors as NIR-to-NIR thermal sensors in wide temperature range

Abstract

We report on the potential application of NIR–to–NIR Nd3+-doped yttrium vanadate nanoparticles with both emission and excitation operating within biological windows as thermal sensors in 123–873 K temperature range. It was demonstrated that thermal sensing could be based on three temperature dependent luminescence parameters: the luminescence intensity ratio, the spectral line position and the line bandwidth. Advantages and limitations of each sensing parameter as well as thermal sensitivity and thermal uncertainty were calculated and discussed. The influence of Nd3+ doping concentration on the sensitivity of luminescent thermometers was also studied.

Lanthanide‐Based Thermometers: At the Cutting‐Edge of Luminescence Thermometry

“…One of the limitations of the great majority of the nanothermometers fabricated up to now (including Er 3+ ‐doped UCNPs) is a limited operating temperature range (typically not above 400 K), which prevents use in high‐temperature applications, such as, for example, thermal barrier coatings and chemical reactors. Illustrative examples widening the temperature range of luminescent thermometers up to ≈900 K are the works of Geitenbeek et al in silica‐coated NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ NPs, Brites et al in Sr 2 GeO 4 :Pr 3+ crystalline powders, and Kolesnikov et al in YVO 4 :Nd 3+ NPs …”

Bimodal Nd-Doped LuVO4 Nanoprobes Functionalized with Polyacrilic Acid for X-Ray Computed Tomography and NIR Luminescent Imaging

“…Several compounds have been assayed for such a purpose, among which rare earth vanadate (REVO 4 )-based nanophosphors composed by a REVO 4 matrix in which different luminescent lanthanide (Ln) cations are introduced as dopants, have been recently the focus of much attention. In particular, Ln-doped REVO 4 (RE = Y, La, Gd; Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Nd, Yb), have been proposed as excellent probes for luminescent "in vitro" bioimaging and biosensing [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10], owing to their intense luminescence on excitation by UV light through an energy transfer process from the vanadate matrix to the Ln 3+ cations [11]. However, the need for UV excitation is a drawback for in vivo bioapplications because of the potential damage that such radiation may cause to living organisms.…”

Optical Nanoscale Thermometry: From Fundamental Mechanisms to Emerging Practical Applications

“…Rare-earth-doped nanoparticles are advantageous in this regard as their excitation can be spectrally optimized via doping with various metal ions in different matrices, making them effective nanosensor candidates for thermosensing applications in biological tissues. [213][214][215][216][217][218][219] A main drive for the development of in vivo thermometry techniques is the promise of selective and controlled heating, e.g., for hyperthermia applications. Current methods are magnetic-and optic-based heat treatments, which are often limited in resolution.…”