Mitochondria-specific near-infrared photoactivation of peroxynitrite upconversion luminescent nanogenerator for precision cancer gas therapy

Gas therapy is emerging as a highly promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.However,there are limitations,including the lack of targeted subcellular organelle accuracy and spatiotemporal release precision,associated with gas therapy.In this study,we developed a series of photoactivatable nitric oxide(NO)donors NRh-R-NO(R=Me,Et,Bn,iPr,and Ph)based on an N-nitrosated upconversion luminescent rhodamine scaffold.Under the irradiation of 808 nm light,only NRh-Ph-NO could effectively release NO and NRh-Ph with a significant turn-on frequency upconversion luminescence(FUCL)signal at 740 nm,ascribed to lower N-N bond dissociation energy.We also investigated the involved multistage near-infrared-controlled cascade release of gas therapy,including the NO released from NRh-Ph-NO along with one NRh-Ph molecule generation,the superoxide anion O_(2)^(⋅−)produced by the photodynamic therapy(PDT)effect of NRh-Ph,and highly toxic peroxynitrite anion(ONOO‒)generated from the co-existence of NO and O_(2)^(⋅−).After mild nano-modification,the nanogenerator(NRh-Ph-NO NPs)empowered with superior biocompatibility could target mitochondria.Under an 808 nm laser irradiation,NRh-Ph-NO NPs could induce NO/ROS to generate RNS,causing a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and initiating apoptosis by caspase-3 activation,which further induced tumor immunogenic cell death(ICD).In vivo therapeutic results of NRh-Ph-NO NPs showed augmented RNS-potentiated gas therapy,demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and effective tumor inhibition guided by real-time FUCL imaging.Collectively,this versatile strategy defines the targeted RNS-mediated cancer therapy.

Synthesis and upconversion luminescence of Lu_2O_3:Yb^(3+),Tm^(3+) nanocrystals

Lutetium oxide nanocrystals codoped with Tm3＋ and Yb3＋ were synthesized by the reverse-like co-precipitation method, using ammonium hydrogen carbonate as precipitant. Effects of the Tm3＋, Yb3＋ molar fractions and calcination temperature on the structural and upconversion luminescent properties of the Lu2O3 nanocrystals were investigated. The XRD results show that all the prepared nanocrystals can be readily indexed to pure cubic phase of Lu2O3 and indicate good crystallinity. The experimental results show that concentration quenching occurs when the mole fraction of Tm3＋ is above 0.2%. The optimal Tm3＋ and Yb3＋ doped molar fractions are 0.2% and 2%, respectively. The strong blue （490 nm） and the weak red （653 nm） emissions from the prepared nanocrystals were observed under 980 nm laser excitation, and attributed to the 1G4→3H6 and IG4→3F4 transitions of Tm3＋, respectively. Power-dependent study reveals that the 1G4 levels of Tm3＋ can be populated by three-step energy transfer process. The upconversion emission intensities of 490 nm and 653 nm increase gradually with the increase of calcination temperature. The enhancement of the upconversion luminescence is suggested to be the consequence of reducing number of OH- groups and the enlarged nanoerystal size.

10BaF_2:NaF,Na_3AlF_6/TiO_2 composite as a novel visible-light-driven photocatalyst based on upconversion emission

A rare-earth free upconversion luminescent material, 10BaF2：NaF, Na3AIF6, is synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The study of fluorescent spectrum indicates that it can convert visible light （550 nm-610 nm） into ultraviolet light （290 nm 350 nm）, and two emission peaks at 304 nm and 324 nm are observed under the excitation of 583 nm at room temperature. Subsequently, 10BaF2：NaF, Na3AIF6/TiO2 composite photocatalyst is prepared and its catalytic activity is evaluated by the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 under visible light irradiation （λ〉 515 nm）. The results show that 10BaF2：NaF, Na3AIF6/TiO2 is a more effective photocatalyst for CO2 reduction than pure TiO2, their corresponding methanol yields are 179 and 0 μmol/g-cat under the same conditions. Additionally, the mechanism of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 on 10BaF2：NaF, Na3AIF6/TiO2 is proposed.

Degradation of dyestuff wastewater using visible light in the presence of a novel nano TiO_2 catalyst doped with upconversion luminescence agent

A new upconversion luminescence agent, 40CdF2·60BaF2·0.8ErO3, was synthesized and its fluorescent spectra were determined. This upconversion luminescence agent can emit five upconversion fluorescent peaks shown in the fluorescent spectra whose wavelengths are all below 387 nm under the excitation of 488 nm visible light. This upconversion luminescence agent was mixed into nano rutile TiO2 powder by ultrasonic and boiling dispersion and the novel doped nano TiO2 photocatalyst utilizing visible light was firstly prepared. The doped TiO2 powder was charactered by XRD and TEM and its photocatalytic activity was tested through the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange as a model compound under the visible light irradiation emitted by six three basic color lamps. In order to compare the photocatalytic activities, the same experiment was carried out for undoped TiO2 powder. The degradation ratio of methyl orange in the presence of doped nano TiO2 powder reached 32.5% under visible light irradiation at 20 h which was obviously higher than the corresponding 1.64% in the presence of undoped nano TiO2 powder, which indicate the upconversion luminescence agent prepared as dopant can effectively turn visible lights to ultraviolet lights that are absorbed by nano TiO2 particles to produce the electron-cavity pairs. All the results show that the nano rutile TiO2 powder doped with upconversion luminescence agent is a promising photocatalyst using sunlight for treating the industry dye wastewater in great force.

Upconversion luminescence of Y_2O_3:Er^(3+), Yb^(3+) nanoparticles prepared by a homogeneous precipitation method

Y2O3： Er^3＋, Yb^3＋ nanoparticles were synthesized by a homogeneous precipitation method without and with different concentrations of EDTA 2Na. Upconversion luminescence spectra of the samples were studied under 980 nm laser excitation. The results of XRD showed that the obtained Y2O3：Er^3＋,Yb^3＋ nanoparticles were of a cubic structure. The average crystallite sizes calculated were in the range of 28-40 nm. Green and red upconversion emission were observed, and attributed to ^2H11/2,^4S3/2→^4I15/2 and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 transitions of the ion, respectively. The ratio of the intensity of green emission to that of red emission drastically changed with a change in the EDTA 2Na concentration. In the sample synthesized without EDTA, the relative intensity of the green emission was weaker than that of the red emission. The relative intensities of green emission increased with the increased amount of EDTA 2Na used. The possible upconversion luminescence mechanisms were discussed.

Synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of NaYF_4:Yb^(3+)/Er^(3+) microspheres

Cubic NaYF4：Yb^3＋（20%）/Er^3＋（1%） microspheres were synthesized by EDTA-assisted hydrothermal method. Under 980 nm excitation, ultraviolet （^4G11/2→^4I15/2）, violet （^2H9/2→^4I15/2）, green （^4F7/2→^4I15/2, 2H11/2→^4I15/2, and ^4S3/2→^4I15/2）, and red （^4F9/2→^4I15/2） upconversion fluorescence were observed. The number of laser photons absorbed in one upconversion excitation process, n, was determined to be 3.89, 1.61, 2.55, and 1.09 for the ultraviolet, violet, green, and red emissions, respectively. Obviously, n=3.89 indicated that a four-photon process was involved in populating the ^4G11/2 state, and n=2.55 indicated that a three-photon process was involved in populating the ^4F7/2/^2H11/2/^4S3/2 levels. For the violet and red emissions, the population of the states ^2H9/2 and ^4F9/2 separately came from three-photon and two-photon processes. The decrease of n was well explained by the mechanism of competition between linear decay and upconversion processes for the depletion of the intermediate excited states.

Effect of Yb^(3+) concentration on the structures and upconversion luminescence properties of Y_2O_3:Er^(3+) ultrafine phosphors

Y2O3：Er^3＋ ultrafine phosphors with a varying Yb^3＋ ion concentration were prepared by a urea homogeneous precipitation method. The results of XRD show that all the samples are of a pure cubic structure and the average crystallite sizes can be calculated as 45, 34, and 28 nm for Y2O3：Er^3＋ ultrafine phosphors with Yb^3＋ ion concentrations of 0, 10%, and 20%, respectively. The lattice constant and cell volume of the ultrafine phosphors decrease with enhancing Yb^3＋ ion concentration. The upconversion luminescence spectra of all the samples were studied under 980 nm laser excitation. The strong green and red upconversion emission were observed, and attributed to the ^2H11/2→^4I15/2, ^4S3/2 → ^4I15/2 and ^4F9/2 →^4I15/2 transitions of Er^3＋, respectively. The intensity of red emission increases with increasing Yb^3＋ ion concentration. The effect of Yb^3＋ ion concentration on the structures and upconversion luminescence mechanism were discussed.

Recent progress in the green synthesis of rare-earth doped upconversion nanophosphors for optical bioimaging from cells to animals

Rare-earth doped upconversion nanophosphors(UCNPs), which convert low energy near-infrared(NIR) photons into high energy photons such as ultraviolet, visible light and NIR light, have found various applications in optical bioimaging. In this review article, we summarize recent advances in the synthesis and applications of UCNPs achieved by us and other groups in the past few years. The approaches for the synthesis of UCNPs are presented,with an emphasis on the role of green chemistry in the advancement of this field, followed by a focused overview on their latest applications in optical bioimaging from subcellular structures through cells to living animals. Challenges and opportunities for the use of UCNPs in biomedical diagnosis and therapy are discussed.

Preparation and upconversion luminescence of YAG(Y_3Al_5O_(12)):Yb^(3+),Ho^(3+) nanocrystals

Cubic YAG：Yb3＋, Ho3＋ pure phase nanocrystals were synthesized by using coprecipition nitrate and ammonium hydrogen carbonate as raw materials.After calcining the precipitates at 800 °C, the resultant YAG：Yb3＋, Ho3＋ nanocrystals were nearly spheric and the particle size was about 40 nm.Intense upconversion spectra were observed on the powder compact pumped by a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, and green emission centered at 549 nm, red emission centered at 667 nm, and NIR centered at 760 nm were all due to two photons process, which originated from 5S2（5F4）→5I8, 5F5→5I8, and 5S2（5F4）→5I7 transitions, respectively.

Synthesis and Upconversion Luminescence of LaF_3:Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)/SiO_2 Core/Shell Microcrystals

LaF3：Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ microcrystals were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and then, the LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ microcrystals were coated with silica. Phase identification of LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ and LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 was performed via XRD. The TEM image showed that the size of LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ was 150 nm and LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 presented clearly a core/shell structure with 20 nm shell thickness. The upconversion spectra of LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ and LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 in solid state and in ethanol were studied with a 980 nm diode laser as the excitation source. The upconversion spectra showed that the silica shell had little effect on the properties of fluorescence of the LaF3：Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ microcrystals. At the same time, the green luminescence photo of LaF3： Yb3＋, Er3＋/SiO2 in the PBS buffer was obtained, which indicated that the LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 could be used in biological applications.

Three-color upconversion luminescence of rare earth codoped oxyhalide tellurite glasses

The red, green, and blue upconversion properties of Er^3＋/Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋-codoped oxyhalide tellurite glasses were studied under 980 nm LD excitation. The intense red （657 nm）, green （530 and 545 nm）, and blue （476 nm） emissions were simultaneously observed at room temperature. The results showed that the mixed halide modified tellurite glass （TZFCB） had strong upconversion emissions. The effect of halide on upconversion intensity was observed and discussed, and possible upconversion mechanisms were evaluated. The intense red, green, and blue upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋/Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋-codoped oxyhalide tellurite glasses might be a potentially useful material for developing three-dimensional displays applications.

Upconversion luminescence of Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋ codoped oxyfluoride glasses

Novel oxyfluoride glasses are developed with the composition of 30SiO2-15Al2O3-28PbF2-22CdF2-0.1TmF3 - xYbF3 - （4.9 - x） AlF3（x=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0） in tool fraction, Furthermore, the upconversion luminescence characteristics under a 970nm excitation are investigated. Intense blue, red and near infrared luminescences peaked at 453nm, 476nm, 647nm and 789nm, which correspond to the transitions of Tm^3＋： ^1D2 →^3F4, ^1G4 →^3H6, ^1G4 →^3F4, and ^3H4 →^3H6, respectively, are observed. Due to the sensitization of Yb^3＋ ions, all the upconversion luminescence intensities are enhanced considerably with Yb^3＋ concentration increasing. The upconversion mechanisms are discussed based on the energy matching rule and quadratic dependence on excitation power. The results indicate that the dominant mechanism is the excited state absorption for those upconversion emissions.

Synthesis of colloidal LaF_3: 0.04Yb^(3+), 0.01Er^(3+) nanocrystals with green upconversion luminescence

A synthesis of LaF3：0.04Yb^3＋,0.01Er^3＋ nanocrystals with oleic acid as a capping ligand was presemed. The X-Ray Diffraction （XRD） pattern indicated that the power was a single hexagonal phase. Transmission Electron Microscopy （TEM） demonstrated that the average size of the nanocrystals was less than 10 nm, with a narrow size distribution. The nanocrystals were dispersible in nonpolar solvents and form a fully transparent colloidal solution, and the solution was stable for several months without any aggregates. The Yb^3＋-Er^3＋ codoped nanocrystal colloidal solution exhibited a bright green upconversion fluorescence under 980 nm excitation from a diode laser. The nanocrystals were potentially applicable in biolabeling and bioimaging.

Upconversion Luminescence of YLiF_4∶Er^(3+) Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method

YLiF4： Er^3＋ was synthesized by hydrothermal method. Concentration of Er^3＋ is changed from 0 to 5 %. The absorption of Er^3＋ in all samples from 200 to 1200 nm was measured at room temperature. The J-O parameters calculated from absorption spectrum are Ω2： = 1.05 × 10^-20 cm^2, Ω4 = 1.25 × 10^-20 cm^2 and Ω6 = 1.35 × 10^-20 cm^2 Infrared-to-visible upconversion emission of YLiF4：Er^3＋ was observed when excited by 980 nm. The results show that the Er^3 ＋ content is less than 1.5 %, excite-state absorption is the main mechanism of upconversion emission. When Er^3＋ content is larger than 1.5%, both of the excite-state absorption and energy transfer lead to the upconversion luminescence. The upconversion intensity was enhanced with the increasing of Er^3＋ concentration. At room temperature, the lifetime of ^2H11/2 and ^4S3/2 is 205 μs while that of ^4F9/2 is 188 μs for sample Er-2. The transition rates and quantum efficiency were also calculated. The quantum efficiencies of ^4S3/2 and 4F9/2 are 27.9% and 10.7%, respectively.

Upconversion Luminescence of SrTiO3：Er^3＋ Ultrafine Powders Produced by 785 nm Laser

Er^3＋ doped SrTiO3 ultrafine powders were prepared by solid state reaction in a molten NaCl flux. The structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Stokes emission spectra of Er^3＋ in SrTiO3：Er^3＋ ranging from green to near infrared region were investigated under 514.5 nm laser excitation. The green and red upconverted luminescence spectra of Er^3＋ were measured under excitation into the 419/2 level by 785 nm laser. The upconversion mechanisms were studied in detail through laser power dependence and Er^3＋ ion concentration dependence of upconverted emissions, and results show that excited state absorption and energy transfer process are the possible mechanisms for the upconversion. The upconversion properties indicate that SrTiO3：Er^3＋ may be used in upconversion phosphors.

Investigation on Upconversion Luminescence of Tm^(3+)/Yb^(3+)-Codoped Oxychloride Tellurite Glasses

Tm^3 ＋/Yb^3 ＋-codoped oxychloride tellurite glasses were prepared. Thermal stability, Raman spectra and upconversion luminescence spectra were studied, and upconversion luminescence mechanisms were analyzed. The results show that the intense blue and relatively weak red emissions centered at 476 and 649 nm corresponding to the transitions ^1G4→^3H6 and ^1G4→^3H4 of Tm^3＋ , respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature under 980 nm LD excitation. With increasing while PbCl2 content, thermal stability of host glasses increases, phonon energy of host glasses decreases, and upconversion luminescence intensities increase, which indicate that Tm^3＋/ Yb^3＋-codoped oxychloride tellurite glasses can be used as potential host materials for upconversion blue lasers.

Preparation and Upconversion Luminescence of Y_3Al_5O_(12):Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)Transparent Ceramics

YAG： 1% （atom fraction） Yb^3＋ , 0.5% （atom fraction） Er3＋ transparent ceramics were fabricated by the solid state reaction method using high-purity Y2O3, Al2O3, Yb2O3, and Er2O3 powders as starting materials. The mixed powder compact was sintered at 1760 ℃ for 6 h in vacuum and annealed at 1500 ℃ for 10 h in an air atmosphere. The ceramics consisted of about 10μm grains and exhibited a pore-free structure. The optical transmittance of the ceramics at 1064 nm was nearly 80%. Upconversion emissions were investigated on the ceramics pumped by a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, and strong green emission centered at 523 and 559 nm and red emission centered at 669 nm were observed, which originated from the radiative transitions of ^2H11/2→^4I15/2, ^4S3/2→^4I15/2, and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 of Er^3＋ ions, respectively.

Influences of Mg^(2+) ion on dopant occupancy and upconversion luminescence of Ho^(3+) ion in LiNbO_3 crystal

The effects of a Mg^2＋ ion on the dopant occupancy and upconversion luminescence of a Ho^3＋ ion in LiNbO3 crystal are reported. The birefringence gradient of the crystal is measured to investigate the optical homogeneity. The X-ray powder diffraction spectrum and the upconversion luminescence are used to investigate defect structure and spectroscopic properties of Mg,Ho：LiNbO3. Under 808-nm excitation, blue, red, and very intense yellow-green bands are observed. Based on the energy levels of Ho^3＋ in LiNbO3, and the pump intensity dependence of the observed emission, an excitation scheme is presented. The upconversion emission spectra reveal an enhancement of upconversion intensity when the Mg^2＋ ions are introduced into Ho：LiNbO3. The main upconversion mechanism is discussed in this work.

Preparation and Upconversion Luminescence of Nanocrystalline Gd_2O_3:Er^(3+),Yb^(3+)

Nanocrystalline Gd1.77Yb0.2Er0.03O3 samples were prepared by combustion and precipitation methods. Structures and upconversion luminescence properties of samples were studied. The results of XRD show that all samples are cubic structure, the average crystallite size could be calculated as 23 nm and 39 nm, respectively. The lattice constants were obtained. The FT-IR spectra were measured to investigate the vibrational feature of the samples. Upconversion luminescence spectra of samples under 980 nm laser excitation were investigated. The strong red emission of samples were observed, and attributed to 4F9/2→4I152 transitions of Er^3＋ ions, the emission intensity for sample synthesized by precipitation method is stronger compared to that of combustion method. The possible upconversion luminescence mechanisms in nanocrystalline Gd1.77Yb0.2Er0.03O3 were discussed.

Rational design and synthesis of upconversion luminescence-based optomagnetic multifunctional nanorattles for drug delivery

Optomagnetic multifunctional composite based on upconversion luminescence nanomaterial is regarded as a promising strategy for bioimaging,disease diagnosis and targeted delivery of drugs.To explore a mesoporous nanostructure with excellent water dispersibility and high drug-loading capacity,a novel nanorattle-structured Fe3O4@SiO2@NaYF4:Yb,Er magnetic upconversion nanorattle(MUCNR)was successfully designed by using Fe3O4 as core and NaYF4:Yb,Er nanocrystals as shell.The microstructures and crystal phase of the as-prepared MUCNRs were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy,Xray powder diffraction and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms.The Kirkendall effect was adapted to explain the formation mechanism of the MUCNRs.The loading content and encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin hydrochloride(DOX)could reach as high as 18.2%and 60.7%,respectively.Moreover,the DOX loading MUCNR(DOX-MUCNR)system showed excellent sustained drug release and strong p Hdependent performance,which was conducive to drug release at the slightly acidic microenvironment of tumor.Microcalorimetry was used to quantify the interactions between the carrier structure and drug release rate directly.The heat release rates in the heat-flow diagrams are basically consistent with the DOX release rate,thereby showing that microcalorimetry assay not only provides a unique thermodynamic explanation for the structure–activity relationship of Fe3O4@SiO2@NaYF4:Yb,Er MUCNRs but also provides powerful guidance to avoid the blind selection or design of drug carriers.Therefore,our work firmly provided a comprehensive perspective for using Fe3O4@SiO2@NaYF4:Yb,Er MUCNRs as a remarkable magnetic targeted drug carrier.