Novel lanthanide-based approaches for bioimaging and energy conversion technologies

用于生物成像和能量转换技术的基于稀土的新型方法

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-04830
• 负责人: Hemmer, Eva
• 金额: $ 2.19万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=615328
• 关键词: Novel; lanthanide; based; approaches; bioimaging

Lanthanide (Ln)-based materials are known for their optical properties, such as the upconversion (UPC) process (emission of UV/VIS light under near-infrared (NIR) excitation) and the emission of lower energy NIR light under higher energy NIR light excitation. Motivated by this, the overarching goal of the proposed research program is to develop Ln-nanophosphors as multifunctional nanocarriers for NIR-based bioimaging and energy conversion technologies, thereby addressing global challenges including societal health and energy concerns. In the context of bioimaging, NIR light is gaining interest due to its deeper penetration into biological tissue than UV/VIS light. Yet, there is still a need in innovative biocompatible NIR probes for high-resolution optical bioimaging beyond the millimetre range. Regarding energy concerns, upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been suggested for application in photocatalysis or photovoltaics. Yet, the low quantum yield of the UPC process is a major limitation restricting their use as attractive solar energy converters. Over the next five years, this research program, which combines materials science, chemistry, physics and biological aspects, will contribute to overcoming these obstacles. We will focus on three main themes, each with its own NIR- or UPC-related facets: 1. Development of Ln-nanophosphors as multifunctional carriers. Innovative Ln-nanophosphors for bioimaging and energy conversion will be synthesized by bottom-up chemical approaches. Size and morphology control is of vital importance for optimized optical properties. Spectral profiles will further be tuned by variation of the dopant-matrix pairs, co-dopants, and dopant concentrations. 2. Implementation into biological systems. Seeking to develop new bioprobes, the implementation of Ln-nanophosphors in biological systems and the assessment of toxicity and nano-bio-interactions are of great importance, which will be addressed by in vitro/ex vivo NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging studies. 3. Ln-nanophosphors for energy applications. We will synthesize and apply upconverters to harvest sub-band gap photons in order to expand the usable solar range for application in solar technologies. This research program, focused on the design of novel nanophosphors with optimized NIR and UPC emission, biocompatibility and application-oriented surface modification, perfectly aligns with the Materials priority of uOttawa's Strategic Research Plan and complements ongoing and future efforts in uOttawa's growing Materials Cluster. HQP will gain valuable knowledge applicable to careers in materials synthesis, spectroscopy, bioimaging, and energy conversion technologies. The novel Ln-nanophosphors will provide short to middle term application opportunities in (bio)nanotechnology, photonics, and energy; greatly benefiting the Canadian economy.

基于灯笼（LN）的材料以其光学特性而闻名，例如UpConversion（UPC）工艺（近红外（NIR）激发下的UV/Vis Light的发射），以及在较高能量NIR下降低能量NIR光的发射光激发。由此激励的是，拟议的研究计划的总体目标是开发LN纳米磷剂作为基于NIR的生物成像和能源转化技术的多功能纳米载体，从而解决包括社会健康和能源问题在内的全球挑战。 在生物成像的背景下，NIR光由于其深入生物组织的深度与紫外线/VIS光线更深。 Yet, there is still a need in innovative biocompatible NIR probes for high-resolution optical bioimaging beyond the millimetre range. Regarding energy concerns, upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been suggested for application in photocatalysis or photovoltaics.但是，UPC过程的低量子产率是一个主要限制，限制了它们作为有吸引力的太阳能转换器的使用。在接下来的五年中，该研究计划结合了材料科学，化学，物理和生物学方面，将有助于克服这些障碍。我们将专注于三个主要主题，每个主题都有自己的NIR或UPC相关方面： 1。将LN纳米磷剂作为多功能载体的发展。自下而上的化学方法将合成用于生物成像和能量转化的创新的LN纳米磷剂。大小和形态控制对于优化的光学特性至关重要。光谱曲线将通过掺杂剂 - 矩阵对，共掺杂和掺杂剂浓度的变化进一步调节。 2。实施生物系统。寻求开发新的生物探测器，在生物系统中实施LN纳米磷和毒性和纳米生物互动的评估非常重要，这将通过体外/Ex Vivo NIR光谱和高光谱成像研究来解决。 3。用于能源应用的LN纳米磷。我们将综合并应用上频率来收集子带间隙光子，以扩大可用的太阳能范围，以应用于太阳能技术。 该研究计划的重点是具有优化的NIR和UPC排放，生物相容性和面向应用的表面修饰的新型纳米磷剂的设计，与Uottawa战略研究计划的材料优先级完美，并补充了Uottawa不断成长的材料集群的持续和未来的努力。 HQP将获得适用于材料合成，光谱，生物成像和能量转换技术的职业的宝贵知识。新型的LN纳米磷剂将在（生物）纳米技术，光子学和能量中提供短期至中期的应用机会。极大地使加拿大经济受益。