EAGER: Novel Rare Earth Metal Oxysulfate (RE2O2SO4) for Upconversion

该项目由电子与光子材料项目（EPM）和陶瓷项目（CER）共同资助。非技术描述：本项目重点研究以纳米球形式掺杂金属元素的无机材料体系硫酸氧（RE2O2SO4），并探索其将低频光转换为高频光（上转换）的潜力。上转换用于各种光子应用，包括生物成像。该项目为学生提供了掌握纳米粒子合成、功能化、结构表征和光学性质测量等技能的机会。该项目的研究活动在课程开发和特别研讨会方面与教育任务相结合。作为一所西班牙裔服务机构，新墨西哥州立大学为K-12学生和包括新墨西哥州立大学社区学院在内的少数族裔学生提供了重要的推广和教育活动机会。技术描述：大块玻璃和晶体材料通常用于上转换，但大块材料通常不适合某些应用，如生物成像。纳米尺度的上转换材料是可取的。然而，合成具有高单分散性和优异上转换性能的小纳米晶体仍然是一个挑战。本课题的目的是为上转化小单分散稀土金属掺杂硫酸氧纳米球的设计奠定科学基础。研究小组的目标是开发一种有效的合成途径，即生物分子辅助水热法，以控制纳米球的大小和形状，并调整其上转换特性，使其能够实际应用。研究活动旨在对具有可控尺寸和形状的纳米球的形成机制有一个基本的了解；探讨了敏化剂与活化剂之间的能量传递机理；并揭示其组成、颗粒大小和形状、晶体结构与发光性能之间的关系。

This project is co-funded by the Electronic and Photonic Materials Program (EPM) and the Ceramics Program (CER).Non-technical Description: This project focuses on an inorganic material system, oxysulfate (RE2O2SO4) doped with metal elements, in the form of nanometer spheres and explores its potential for converting low-frequency light to higher-frequency light (upconversion). Upconversion is used in various photonic applications including biological imaging. The project offers students the opportunity to acquire skills in nanoparticle synthesis, functionalization, structural characterizations, and optical property measurements. The research activities of this project are integrated with an educational mission in terms of course development and special seminars. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, New Mexico State University offers significant opportunities for outreach and educational activities that involve K-12 students and underrepresented minorities including those at the NMSU community colleges.Technical Description: Bulk glass and crystalline materials are usually used for upconversion, but bulk materials are often not suitable for certain applications such as biological imaging. Upconversion materials on nanometer scales are desirable. However, synthesis of small nanocrystals that exhibit high monodispersibility and excellent upconversion properties remains a challenge. The goal of this project is to establish a scientific basis for the design of small monodisperse rare-earth-metal-doped oxysulfate nanospheres for upconversion. The research team aims to develope an effective synthesis route, biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal method, to control the size and shape of nanospheres, as well as to tune the upconversion properties to enable their practical applications. The research activities are designed to develop a fundamental understanding of the formation mechanism of the nanospheres with controlled size and shape; to investigate the energy transfer mechanism between the sensitizer and the activator; and to reveal the relationship between the composition, particle size and shape, crystal structure, and luminescent properties.