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、超分子和纳米化学项目的支持，其研究重点是对具有潜在高发光效率的超小稀土基纳米颗粒进行同步实验和理论分析。 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）之间的相关性，和发光特性。 通过理论和实验研究这些纳米荧光粉的发光特性，如掺杂的三氧化二钆，可以更好地了解表面活性剂分子，晶体畸变和其他纳米级结构和电子效应如何影响源自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铕（Eu 2 O3）、铽（Tb 2 O3）和掺杂钆（Gd_2O_3：RE ~（3+）; RE = Eu，Tb）倍半氧化物纳米颗粒]由于其众所周知的体相发光特性、其简单结晶度（bcc）以及该研究小组在合成、理论评估、以及对其性质的解释。 这些纳米晶体特性的研究可用于磷光器件的应用，从强大的视频显示器到生物成像试剂和红外电信材料。该奖项侧重于对由稀土元素组成的极小纳米材料的高效发光特性进行实验和理论分析。 这项调查将探讨这些纳米粒子的性质的生产，分析和理论研究，以评估它们的大小，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。 通过对这些材料的理论和实验研究，将更好地了解如何优化其性能，用于磷光器件应用，从强大的超高清晰度视频显示器到下一代高灵敏度医学成像试剂和高速电信材料。 多样的，代表性不足的研究生和本科生将参加这一项目感谢现有的计划在范德比尔特大学，如菲斯克-范德比尔特硕士到博士桥梁计划。

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.