Luminescence as a Structural Probe of Ultra-Small Rare Earth Oxide Nanoparticles

范德比尔特大学的James Dickerson得到了大分子、超分子和纳米化学计划的支持，该计划的研究重点是同时进行实验和理论分析，以获得潜在的高发光效率的超小稀土纳米颗粒。这项研究将探索这些纳米颗粒的合成、表征和理论建模，以评估纳米颗粒尺寸、环境条件(对称性、晶体结构、表面活性剂性质、缺陷等)和发光特性之间的相关性。通过理论和实验研究这些纳米荧光粉的发光性质，如掺杂的Gd_2O_3，可以更好地理解表面活性剂分子、晶体扭曲和其他纳米尺度的结构和电子效应如何影响源于稀土离子的各种光谱过程。选择用于这些研究的化合物[单分散、亚3.0 nm Eu(Eu_2O_3)、Tb(Tb_2O_3)和掺杂Gd_2O_3：Re~(3+)；RE=Eu，Tb)倍半氧化物纳米颗粒]是因为它们众所周知的块状发光特性，它们的简单结晶度(BCC)，以及这个研究小组在合成、理论评估和性质解释方面的独特专业知识。对这些纳米晶体特性的研究可用于从坚固的视频显示器到生物成像试剂和红外通信材料的磷光器件应用。该奖项侧重于对由稀土元素组成的极小纳米级材料的高效发光特性的并行实验和理论分析。这项研究将探索这些纳米粒子的生产、分析和理论研究，以评估它们的尺寸、它们的内在特征，如对称性和形态，以及它们的发光特性之间的关系。通过从理论和实验上研究这些材料，将更好地了解如何优化它们的性能，以用于从坚固的超高清晰度视频显示器到下一代高清晰度医学成像试剂和高速电信材料的磷光设备应用。由于范德比尔特大学现有的项目，如菲斯克-范德比尔特硕士到博士桥项目，多元化、代表性不足的研究生和本科生将参与这个项目。

James Dickerson at Vanderbilt University is supported by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program for research focusing on the concurrent experimental and theoretical analysis of ultra-small rare earth-based nanoparticles of potentially high luminescence efficiency. This investigation will explore the synthesis, characterization, and theoretical modeling of these nanoparticles to assess the correlation among nanoparticle size, environmental conditions (symmetry, crystalline structure, surfactant properties, defects, etc.), and luminescence characteristics. By studying theoretically and experimentally the luminescence properties of these nanophosphors, such as doped gadolinium sesquioxide, it is possible to better understand how surfactant molecules, crystal distortions, and other nanoscale structural and electronic effects influence various spectroscopic processes originating from rare earth ions. The compounds chosen for these investigations [monodisperse, sub-3.0 nm europium (Eu2O3), terbium (Tb2O3), and doped gadolinium (Gd2O3:RE3+; RE = Eu, Tb) sesquioxide nanoparticles] have been selected due to their well-known, bulk phase luminescence characteristics, their simple crystallinity (bcc), and he unique expertise of this research group in the synthesis, the theoretical assessment, and the interpretation of their properties. The investigation of these nanocrystalline properties can be exploited in phosphorescent device applications ranging from robust video displays to bio-imaging reagents and infrared telecommunications materials.This award focuses on the concurrent experimental and theoretical analysis of the high-efficiency light emission characteristics of extremely small, nanoscale materials comprised of rare earth elements. This investigation will explore the production, analysis, and theoretical study of the properties of these nanoparticles to assess the relationship among their size, their intrinsic features, like symmetry and morphology, and their light emission characteristics. By studying theoretically and experimentally these materials, a better understand will be obtained of how to optimize their properties for use in phosphorescent device applications ranging from robust, ultra-high definition video displays to next-generation, high-acuity medical imaging reagents, and high-speed telecommunications materials. Diverse, underrepresented graduate and undergraduate students will participate in this project thanks to existing programs at Vanderbilt University, such as the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program.