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

本项目由电子与光子材料计划（Electronic and Photonic Materials Program，EMPT）和陶瓷计划（Ceramics Program，CER）共同资助。非技术性说明：本项目主要研究无机材料系统--掺杂金属元素的含氧硫酸盐（RE 2 O2 SO 4），以纳米球的形式，探索其将低频光转换为高频光（上转换）的潜力。上转换用于包括生物成像的各种光子应用中。该项目为学生提供了获得纳米颗粒合成，功能化，结构表征和光学性能测量技能的机会。该项目的研究活动与教育使命相结合，包括课程编制和特别研讨会。作为一个西班牙裔服务机构，新墨西哥州州立大学为涉及K-12学生和代表性不足的少数民族，包括那些在NMSU社区学院的推广和教育活动提供了重要的机会。技术描述：散装玻璃和晶体材料通常用于上转换，但散装材料往往不适合某些应用，如生物成像。纳米尺度上的上转换材料是期望的。然而，表现出高单光子发射率和优异上转换特性的小纳米晶体的合成仍然是一个挑战。本项目的目标是为设计用于上转换的小的单分散稀土金属掺杂的含氧硫酸盐纳米球建立科学基础。该研究小组的目标是开发一种有效的合成路线，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;研究敏化剂和活化剂之间的能量转移机制;并揭示组成，粒度和形状，晶体结构和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.