nanofosforer

Nanophosphors, or nanofosforer, are nanoscale luminescent inorganic particles designed to emit light when excited by optical energy. Doped lanthanide ions such as Eu3+, Tb3+, Er3+, or Yb3+ act as activators within a host lattice. Typical nanophosphor sizes span roughly 5 to 100 nanometers, which enables integration into composites, biological systems, or optoelectronic devices while presenting surface-related effects that differ from bulk phosphors.

Common host lattices include NaYF4, Y2O3, Gd2O3, SrAl2O4, and silica-coated variants. Synthesis methods include solvothermal and hydrothermal routes, thermal decomposition, coprecipitation, and sol–gel processing. Surface engineering with silica, polymers, or biomolecule ligands improves dispersion, compatibility with solvents, and bioconjugation for targeting or sensing.

Optical properties depend on the dopants and host crystal field. Upconversion nanophosphors convert near-infrared photons into visible emissions, enabling deep-tissue bioimaging. Persistent (afterglow) nanophosphors store excitation energy and emit light for seconds to hours after excitation, provided by certain dopants in suitable hosts. Emission color can be tuned by dopant type and concentration, and surface states influence quantum yield and quenching.

Applications span bioimaging, biosensing, lighting, display technologies, and solar energy, where downconversion or energy transfer to other luminescent materials is used. Important handling considerations include photostability, chemical stability, aggregation control, and minimizing toxicity for in vivo applications. Regulatory and safety assessments apply to biomedical uses of nanomaterials.

Research challenges include achieving bright, uniform emission at the single-particle level, scalable synthesis, and robust surface passivation to reduce quenching. Ongoing work aims to develop biocompatible nanophosphors with predictable optical performance and new functionalities for imaging, sensing, or therapy.