Study of Functional Luminescent Nanoparticles

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While it is clear that nanotechnology has ushered in a new era for science, it is becoming increasingly apparent that functional nanoparticles will have an unprecedented impact in a number of fields. Functional luminescent nanoparticles have garnered significant interest in recent years from both a fundamental viewpoint and for their potential applications spanning several sectors, energy and health care, for example. Given this irrefutable interest, I am developing an ambitious and vigorous research programme at INRS-EMT on functional nanomaterials and in particular, the study of their luminescent properties. In the framework of the present Discovery Grant application, I intend to shed some light on the photophysical properties of lanthanide-doped nanoparticles, to investigate three fundamental aspects related to the modulation of their luminescent properties. Specifically, over the course of the next five years, I will study: (A) the relationship between plasmonic metals and lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles, which have the inherent capability to convert low energy near-infrared radiation to higher energies via a multi-photon process known as upconversion. We aim to understand how such novel nanoarchitectures can increase the efficiency of the upconversion process, which to date is critically low. (B) How to manipulate and control basic radiative and non-radiative processes of the 4f electronic states to develop the ability to create nanoheaters and induce a localized thermal load. (C) The basic mechanism(s) leading to persistent luminescence thereby designing novel nanoprobes, with tailored emission, which capture the optical excitation energy and then release it in the form of persistent light over an extended period of time (up to hours) after the excitation source has been turned off. The benefits of such an ambitious research programme are two-fold. First, they will pave the way for the future development of new advanced technologies, consistent with the IMMEDIATE needs of the Canadian energy and health care industries. Second, they will also promote the training of highly qualified personnel to respond to the scientific and technological challenges of our modern society.