808 nm Light-Triggered Thermometer–Heater Upconverting Platform Based on Nd³⁺-Sensitized Yolk–Shell GdOF@SiO₂

The realization of real-time and accurate temperature reading at subcutaneous level during the photothermal therapy (PTT) could maximally avoid the collateral damages induced by overheating effects, which remains a formidable challenge for biomedical applications. Herein, 808 nm light-driven yolk–shell GdOF:Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺/Er³⁺@SiO₂ microcapsules were developed with thermal-sensing and heating bifunctions. Under 808 nm excitation, sensitive thermometry was implemented by monitoring thermoresponsive emission from ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 levels of Er³⁺; meanwhile, the addition of Nd³⁺ with rich metastable intermediate levels and the yolk–shell configuration with large specific surface area triggered efficient light-to-heat conversion via enhanced nonradiative channels. The potentiality of dual-functional samples for controlled subcutaneous photothermal treatment was validated through ex vivo experiments, and the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was also elaborately evaluated. Results open a general avenue for designing and developing upconverting platforms with sensitive thermal-sensing and efficient heating bifunctions, which makes a significant step toward the achievement of real-time controlled PTT

Eu(III) and Tb(III) Complexes with the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Carprofen: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Photophysical Properties

Two new lanthanide complexes with general formula [Ln₂(carprofen)₆­(DMF)₂] (Ln = Eu (<b>1</b>), Tb (<b>2</b>), DMF = <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide, carprofen = 6-chloro-α-methylcarbazole-2-acetic acid) have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Complex <b>1</b> was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), and it was found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group <i>C</i>2<i>/c</i>. The coordination of the ligand to the lanthanide ion has been investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra. Complex <b>1</b> emits red light, but the antenna effect of the ligand is not effective, whereas complex <b>2</b> presents intense green emission with effective energy transfer from the ligand. The different performance of the two complexes is related to the energy matching between the excited states of the lanthanide ion and the triplet state of the ligand. The intramolecular energy transfer mechanisms are also discussed

Eu(III) and Tb(III) Complexes with the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Carprofen: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Photophysical Properties

Two new lanthanide complexes with general formula [Ln₂(carprofen)₆­(DMF)₂] (Ln = Eu (<b>1</b>), Tb (<b>2</b>), DMF = <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide, carprofen = 6-chloro-α-methylcarbazole-2-acetic acid) have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Complex <b>1</b> was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), and it was found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group <i>C</i>2<i>/c</i>. The coordination of the ligand to the lanthanide ion has been investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra. Complex <b>1</b> emits red light, but the antenna effect of the ligand is not effective, whereas complex <b>2</b> presents intense green emission with effective energy transfer from the ligand. The different performance of the two complexes is related to the energy matching between the excited states of the lanthanide ion and the triplet state of the ligand. The intramolecular energy transfer mechanisms are also discussed

Site-Dependent Luminescence and Thermal Stability of Eu²⁺ Doped Fluorophosphate toward White LEDs for Plant Growth

Eu²⁺ activated fluorophosphate Ba₃GdNa­(PO₄)₃F (BGNPF) with blue and red double-color emitting samples were prepared via a solid-state method in a reductive atmosphere. Their crystal structure and cationic sites were identified in light of X-ray diffraction pattern Rietveld refinement. Three different Ba²⁺ sites, coordinated by six O atoms referred to as Ba1, two F and five O atoms as Ba2, and two F and six O atoms as Ba3, were partially substituted by Eu²⁺. Photoluminescence emission (PL) and excitation (PLE) spectra of phosphor BGNPF:Eu²⁺ along with the lifetimes were characterized at the liquid helium temperature (LHT), which further confirm the existence of three Eu²⁺ emitting centers resulting in 436, 480, and 640 nm emission from the 5d → 4f transitions of Eu²⁺ in three different Ba²⁺ crystallographic sites. These emissions overlap with the absorption spectra of carotenoids and chlorophylls from plants, which could directly promote the photosynthesis. Temperature-dependent PL spectra were used to investigate the thermal stability of phosphor, which indicates that the PL intensity of BGNPF:0.9% Eu²⁺ with optimal composition at 150 °C still keeps 60% of its PL intensity at room temperature, in which blue emission has higher thermal-stability than the red emission. Furthermore, the approaching white LED devices have also been manufactured with a 365 nm n-UV LED chip and present phosphor, which make operators more comfortable than that of the plant growth purple emitting LEDs system composed of blue and red light. Results indicate that this phosphor is an attractive dual-responsive candidate phosphor in the application n-UV light-excited white LEDs for plant growth