Development of luminescent probes based on lanthanide nanoparticles and quantum dots for thermometry

• Grant number: 23/07051-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Andrea Simone Stucchi de Camargo Alvarez Bernardez
• Grantee: Pedro Felipe Garcia Martins da Costa
• Supervisor: Luis Antonio Ferreira Martins Dias Carlos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Aveiro (UA), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/01170-3 - Glassy and ceramic multifunctional luminescent nanosystems for applications in thermometry and oximetry, BP.DR

Abstract

This project aims to develop novel materials for luminescent thermometry during a 4-month research internship in the Phantom-G group at the Center for Research in Ceramics and Composite Materials (CICECO) at the University of Aveiro in Aveiro, Portugal, as part of the BEPE/FAPESP Doctoral Program. Accurately measuring temperature at the nanoscale presents a significant challenge. To tackle this issue, temperature-sensitive luminescent nanometer probes have been developed. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) based on rare-earth-doped NaYF4, including ytterbium (Yb3+) and thulium (Tm3+), are employed as nanosensors for temperature measurement. These UCNPs possess multiple thermally coupled levels, enabling them to emit light in response to temperature variations. The versatility of these materials arises from their excitation in the near-infrared region (980 nm), which facilitates their application in biological environments. Similarly, quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles with adjustable photoluminescent properties that can be controlled by their particle size. This intriguing feature makes them promising candidates for luminescent thermometry. The objective of this proposal is to synthesize and characterize hybrid nanostructures consisting of NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaYF4 UCNPs combined with cadmium telluride QD ligands (CdTe) as novel luminescent probes. This combination of structures provides the opportunity for temperature measurements through excitations at approximately 980 nm. At LEMAF/IFSC, we possess extensive expertise in synthesizing UCNPs and QDs. The Phantom-G research group, under the leadership of Professor Dr. Luís António Ferreira Martins Dias Carlos, enjoys international recognition for their work in luminescent thermometry and related fields. It is expected that the student's experience and knowledge gained during this period will significantly contribute to their training, as well as to scientific and technological advancements in the field of luminescent materials. (AU)