UCNPs

NIR excited fluorophores for biomedical applications

We are interested on optimizing the fluorescence of near infrarred excited fluorophores for biomedical applications. In particular, we characterized the fluorescence of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) when they are in close proximity to metal nanoparticles (MNPs), quantum dots (QDs) or graphene oxide for modifying their emission and excitation properties. We use this probes for biosensing. We also optimized NIR probes as Ag2S for in vivo fluorescence detection in the second biological window. We experimentally characterize their quantum yield, fluorescence lifetimes and fluorescence spectra.

Plasmonic effects in hybrid systems: Plasmon-enhanced UCNPs fluorescence using metal nanoparticles; Plasmonic effects in QDs-MNPs hybrid systems
Sensors based on UCNPs fluorescence: for miRNA detection; FRET from UCNPs to QDs for biosensors
Determination of UCNPs and NIR probes fluorescence lifetimes and quantum yield measurements

KEYWORDS: Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), Quantum dots (QDs), Metal nanoparticles (MNPs), Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), Fluorescence lifetime, quantum yield (QY)

Experimental setup built to determine luminescence spectra, quantum yield and fluorescence lifetimes of UCNPs
Er Yb energy levels

We experimentally analyzed the enhancement of the upconversion fluorescence emission intensity at cryogenic temperatures.
Egatz-Gómez et al. J. Lumin. 139, 52 (2013) [PDF]

We collaborate with MATNABIO Reseach Group led by Jorge Rubio-Retama from the Faculty of Pharmacy at UCM within different projects (PR26/16-12B, MAT2017-83111R) regarding miRNA biosensors based on FRET processes in UCNPs.
We use UCNPs as molecular beacons to detect extremely low concentrations of target (100fM). Méndez-González et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 9, 12272 (2017) [PDF]
We explore different strategies to improve FRET efficiency in UCNPs-QDs hybrid systems. Melle et al. J. Phys. Chem. C 122, 18751-18758 (2018) [PDF]
FRET_UCNPs-QDs

We theoretically studied the THz emission in the fluorescence spectrum of a QD coupled to an spherical metallic nanoparticle. Antón et al. J. Opt. 18, 025001 (2016) [PDF]
AuNRs-UCNPs

We studied plasmon-enhanced UCNPs fluorescence using polyelectrolyte multilayers as spacers between UCNPs and Au nanorods

Research Group:

Oscar G. Calderón, Departamento Óptica, UCM
Eduardo Cabrera-Granado, Departamento Óptica, UCM
Miguel Antón Revilla, Departamento Óptica, UCM
Fernando Carreño, Departamento Óptica, UCM

Collaborators
Ana Egatz Gómez, School of Molecular Science, Arizona State University
Jorge Rubio Retama, MATNABIO, Departamento Química en CC. Farmacéuticas, UCM
Elena Díaz, GISC, Departamento Materiales, UCM

Publications

Boosting the near-ínfrared emission of Ag2S nanoparticles by a controllable Surface treatment for bioimaging applications, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 14 (2022) 4871
Upconverting Nanoparticles in Aqueous Media: Not an Dead-End Road. Avoiding Degradation by Using Hydrophobic Polymer Shells, Small 18 (2022) 2105652
In Vivo Near-Infrared Imaging Using Ternary Selenide Semiconductor Nanoparticles with an Uncommon Crystal Structure, Small 17 (2021) 2103505
The effects of dopant concentration and excitation intensity on the upconversion and downconversion emission processes of b-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanoparticles, J. Mater. Chem. C 9 (2021) 8902-8911
Oligonucleotide sensor based on magnetic capture and photoligation of upconverting nanoparticles in surfaces, J. Colloid Interface Sci, 596 (2021) 64-74
Reaching deeper: absolute in vivo thermal reading of liver by combining super-bright Ag2S nanothermometers and in silico simulations, Advanced Science (2021) 2003838
Ultrafast photochemistry produces superbright short-wave infrared dots for low-dose in vivo imaging, Nature Comm. 11 (2020) 1-12
Contribution of resonance energy transfer to the luminescence quenching of upconversion nanoparticles with graphene oxide, J. Colloid Interface Sci, 575 (2020) 119-129
10-Fold Quantum Yield improvement of Ag2S Nanoparticles by fine compositional tuning, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 12 (2020) 12500-12509
Control of upconversion luminescence by gold nanoparticle size: from quenching to enhancement, Nanoscale 11 (2019) 13832-13844
Forster Resonance Energy Transfer distance dependence from upconverting nanoparticles to quantum dots, J. Phys. Chem. C 122 (2018) 18751-18758
Oligonucleotide sensor based on selective capture of upconversion nanoparticles triggered by target-induced DNA interstrand ligand reaction, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 9 (2017) 12272-1281
Radiation emission from an asymmetric quantum dot coupled to a plasmonic nanostructure, J. Opt. 18 (2016) 025001 (14pp)
Homogeneous broadening effect on temperature dependence of green upconversion luminescence in erbium doped fibers, J. Lumin. 139 (2013) 52-59
Optical pumping of a single hole spin in a p-doped quantum dot coupled to a metallic nanoparticle, Phys. Rev. B 87 (2013) 195303
Plasmonic effects in excitonic population transfer in a driven semiconductor-metal nanoparticle hybrid system, Phys. Rev. B 86 (2012) 155305

International meetings

Oligonucleotide sensor based on magnetic capture and photoligation of upconverting nanoparticles in solid surfaces
UPCON 2021 3rd Conference on Properties, Design, and Applications of Upconversion Nanomaterials, France, April 6-9, 2021 [Poster PDF]
Optical properties of structurally optimized Ag2S/Ag dots as Near Infrared II contrast agents
Three Wise Men Winter School in Luminescence Nanothermometry for Biological Applications, Madrid, Spain, January 8-11, 2020
UCNPs of NaYF4: Y3+/Er3+: The relationship between the ratio of dopants and the size, luminescence and lifetimes
ECIS 2019 33rd Conference of the European Colloids and Interface Society, KU Leuven, Belgium, September 8-13, 2019 [PDF]
The role of gold nanoparticle size in the quenching-to-enhancement transition of plasmon assisted upconversion luminescence
SciX 2019, Palm Springs, California, October 13-18, 2019 [PDF]
Upconversion Nanoparticle-based FRET System for Oligonucleotide Detection

UPCON 2018 Conference & Spring School, Valencia, Spain, April 2-6, 2018 [PDF]
Plasmon-enhanced upconversion luminescence using spray-assisted layer-by-layer deposition
UPCON 2018 Conference & Spring School, Valencia, Spain, April 2-6, 2018 [PDF]
One-pot microwave systhesis of upconverting nanoparticles for biosensing,
Microfluidics, EMBL Heidelberg, Germany, July 24-26, 2016 [PDF]

Site maintained by Sonia Melle.

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